Watch Your Feet (Or Not)

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Paul had his issues with the Corinthian church. His second letter, unlike his first, shows us that many positive things had resulted from his rather sharp first letter to them. In the second letter there were still some “course corrections” to deal with but the message exudes a much softer side of the apostle.

As he begins what we know as Chapter 4, Paul communicates that he is not discouraged in the ministry despite some of the deep valleys that his ministry may have taken him through. The mission has been given to him by God (4:1) and so he does not “lose heart.”

The thread of this same idea is picked up at the end of the chapter when Paul says: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (4:16-18).

When I walk, particularly in the winter, I watch my feet. A couple of bad falls last year, a pair of broken glasses and a scratched face, were sufficient to teach me the lesson. The trouble with watching your feet is that you miss the sunrise, the beautiful snow frosting the trees, and whatever friend is waving to you from the other side of the street!

Perspective is everything in life. Perspective is everything in ministry. It turns out that the reverse to walking safely on a winter sidewalk is true when it comes to not stumbling in life and to persevering in ministry. You have to keep looking up—at Jesus. Keeping your eyes on what’s at your feet will only lead to your downfall.