Scripture reading
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
–2 Corinthians 4:18
Thought of the Day
Did you hang out with anyone famous yesterday? I did. I spent a couple of hours with former President Jimmy Carter. Well, to be honest, about 6000 other people and I spent some time with President Carter. He was the honored speaker at the Presidential Inauguration of Southwestern University’s new president. When I found out that Mr. Carter was going to be there, I knew that I was going to be there, too. You see, Jimmy Carter and I go way back. I was Co-Chairman of the Students for Carter Committee back in 1976 when he ran for president. (The fact that there were just two of us on the committee does not lessen the fact that I was co-chair.) I am convinced that he was elected president largely due to our efforts. Since that time, I have been a big fan of his. No matter what you think of his presidency, the way he has dignified himself since then is most admirable. His commitment to human rights and justice and freedom is without question. His work with Habitat for Humanity has helped that great organization grow throughout the world. I admire him so much, so I knew I wanted to go hear him speak. Mr. Carter did an awesome job speaking about our role as people and as a nation in reaching out to others with compassion and love. He closed his speech challenging us to remember what is important in life. He reminded us of our scripture for today, when Paul told the Corinthians what was important. He reminded us how the world often defines success with material and personal accomplishments and how we should fix our eyes on those things unseen. Things like love and faith and compassion and humility and forgiveness. Things that describe the life of Christ Jesus. That is how God defines success.
Prayer
Father, I want to be successful in Your eyes. Amen.