“The Seen and Unseen”

by Jane Josephs

“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.” —2 Cor. 4:18

As 2026 gets underway I’m foregoing any new resolutions; I can never seem to keep them anyway. But this little verse from 2nd Corinthians has inspired me to shift my focus a bit. Are there seen things, motivated by unseen things, that deserve my attention this year?

In 2nd Corinthians, the Apostle Paul most likely is talking about unseen things like the ‘big five’ Lutherans call the Five Solas: Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Word Alone, Christ Alone, and Glory to God Alone. And I thank God every day for God’s amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. But what about the temporary, seen, things? Should they be ignored? Aren’t they important too?

Let me explain my thinking, okay? Now that I use a cane to help me get around, I can’t tell you the times someone (often a stranger) has held a door for me, asked me if I needed help, made up a plate of food for me at a party, or sat and chatted with me. Yes, it’s temporary, but oh, what a blessing! Does it have eternal value? I hope you said a resounding Yes!

Unseen things like salvation have the power to transform us, to give us a new identity in Christ, and a new way of looking at the world. And yes, the temporary, seen things like wealth and possessions can be distracting and disturbing. But little, unseen acts of kindness we perform differentiate us from the way the world is responding to the culture of our day. We’re different because Jesus has redeemed us. Now, as the old song says, They’ll know we are Christians by our love. In the seen and the unseen.

Dear Lord, help us fix our eyes on You and give heed to Your voice when You call. Thank You for saving us and giving us new hearts of flesh to replace our old hearts of stone. May all praise and glory be Yours, Lord. In Your name, Amen.