2 Corinthians 4:16-18
DEVOTION FEBRUARY 13, 2007
BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is
perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at
the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the
things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen
are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV)
“Beauty is only skin deep” is an often used phrase that is well
understood. I see these words from St. Paul as being directly opposite
to that quote. It could be phrased like this, “Beauty is only deep
inside the skin.”
We are all aware of the aging process that takes place in our bodies. As
we grow older we develop some sags, some wrinkles, hair grays, thins and
falls out, eyesight diminishes and we say What? What? more often. At the
same time the feelings from within shift from day to day depending on
the aches and pains of the day. That does not have to be, so don’t lose
heart.
St. Paul says that we should not look at the outward but at the inward.
In other words, don’t look at what the eyes see but look at what the
heart--the inward, through faith--sees. The eyes lead us to look at the
afflictions, be they physical or mental, pain or worry, as something we
must endure until death. The heart leads us to look beyond these
temporary afflictions to the joys that await us in Heaven that we will
enjoy eternally.
How easy it is to look at the things we can see and allow them to
overshadow the things of faith that are unseen. How easy it is to focus
only on the afflictions of today and be distracted from the glorious
promises of eternity.
Your eyes may tell you that beauty is only skin deep. Go to God in faith
and you will find that the real beauty is only found deep inside the
skin.
WE PRAY: We feel aches and pains, we worry and fret as our bodily
functions diminish and we can’t do what we used to do. Lord, help us to
banish those thoughts and to be able, in faith, to see that it is not
what we can’t do that is important but the glorious and wonderful things
that await us in Eternity with you.
A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
St. Paul also wrote, “In the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be
changed.” We don’t know what that change will be, we just know it will
be wonderful. Select a major obstacle in your life. It might be a pain,
a weakness, a worry or whatever comes to your mind. Now let your
imagination run wild as you think of how GREAT it would be if that
obstacle were removed. Then stop and realize that no matter how great a
feeling you might have our Eternal life in Heaven will be even greater
than that. Maybe you can join me in the excitement of saying to others
who believe in Jesus, SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.