As a follower of the Lord, look not to the things of this world that are seen. But look to ways of the Lord, things that are to come after this life, that which are unseen. For God is in control of your life. He has planned out every aspect the good, the bad, and the ugly. He has prepared each one as a preparation for the next. Each builds upon another for the purpose of increasing that which may be credited to your eternal account.
Every action, word, and thought of the Lord’s servant will one day be weighed in the balance. They will be weighed to see what their true worth is. Test what you are doing and why you are doing it. Make sure it is for the right reason and not for the things of this world. Not for yourself, or the applause of man, but for eternal reward. For the will of God.
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Though you will suffer and go through very hard and challenging times, this is actually the will of God for you. He is continually preparing you for what is ahead. Like a child in grade school does not stay in 1st grade their entire life. They are continually driven by the teacher to strain and struggle to learn new principles. One principle is built upon the next, moving from 1st-grade knowledge to the 2nd and on until graduation. It is a steady learning curve. Every year there is a new level of difficulty in learning that will prepare them for the next.
So also, God prepares His children for each level, one step at a time. He who stops learning or declares that they have made it to the top has stopped doing their homework, and it is guaranteed that the teacher will not be pleased. Increase your understanding of this. Each trial and struggle has a purpose and will help move you to the next level, where God wants you.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
Your purpose is not primarily to do the natural things of life. Though you must work, move, and function here physically, dealing with all that comes with it. But your primary purpose is to listen, follow, and obey the Lord in everything for things of eternal value. So that those lost in this world may turn from the wickedness of their own hearts and turn to the Lord for salvation. That they may be saved from an eternity of suffering.
Do all things with eternity in mind to please the Lord in all your ways. Though you may be seen as nothing here on earth, you will be seen as the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Keep on storing up treasure in heaven. Hidden away as in jars of clay that they may be revealed in Glory, to be praised and lifted high by the host of Heaven.
But we have treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18
The Soul Sower 