“For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (GNT)
Most people rarely evaluate their values or question their perceptions until they have a crisis.
It’s often in deep pain that I begin to examine what I'm building my life on. I might realize I'd been living my life to feel good, look good, or accumulate wealth or power. But in a crisis, I instinctively know that there has to be more to life.
So why wait for a crisis to evaluate values? Instead, I need to stop today to consider what I should value. I can start by asking myself this critical question: What’s going to last?
The world seems to value the here and now. Its message is that tomorrow doesn’t matter. Next year doesn’t matter. A thousand years from today doesn’t matter. Eternity and heaven don’t matter. Live for today. Live for self. Live it up, as we only live once!
But we know that’s not true, because the Bible says something different: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17 NIV).
Consider what happens when I'm tempted. Temptation isn’t just a battle between good and bad or what’s best and what’s not best.
Temptation is always a battle between now and later: Will I do what God says and enjoy the benefits later, or will I do what I want and enjoy the benefits now
The Bible teaches us to “fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18 GNT).
Whether I'm in a crisis or not, take some time to evaluate what I'm basing my life on. Am I trying to live it up, or am I giving my life away? Ask the hard questions that reveal where I have put my trust and how I have invested my time and resources.
Then choose to build a life on God’s truth. It will last forever and never let me down.
In summary:
Life’s crises often reveal the fragility of the things we usually value—appearance, pleasure, possessions, or power—and remind us that these are temporary. But God calls me to look beyond what is seen and build my life on what is eternal. Temptation always tests whether we will live for short-term satisfaction or long-term fulfillment in God’s will. Rather than waiting for hardship to reassess priorities, i should regularly evaluate what I'm basing my life on and ask whether it will last forever. The Bible reminds me to fix my attention on eternal truths, not temporary gains, because only God’s Word and purposes endure.
Bottom Line:
Life is short, and the things of this world won’t last—but God’s truth and purposes will. What matters most is building a life on eternal values, not temporary ones.
My next wisest step is for me to take time this week to clarify my own “eternal values” in writing—list the truths, principles, and purposes I want to guide my life and leadership. Then, intentionally weave one of those values into my coaching, speaking, or daily leadership interactions, so that I'm not only living it but also modeling it for others.
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