2 Corinthians 5:6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others (of the gospel); but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart.

Paul continues his defense against those in the Corinthian church who are critical of his poor physical condition. The man had been beaten and persecuted for the sake of the gospel for decades, what did they expect? Yet instead of seeing Paul’s frailty as a badge of honor they criticize him for it. Ridiculous, right?

Paul’s focus is not on his looks, but on his deeds – given that the physical body is a temporary dwelling place anyway. He is confident that one day he will be freed from his broken mortal body and be found pleasing to the Lord Jesus on the day of judgment. What other people think of him is immaterial to Paul.

I’m at the age in life when I likely have more years behind me than ahead. When my mortal life is over, I pray I will be found pleasing to the Lord Jesus. Yes I have made many mistakes, and will no doubt make many more. I have sinned greatly and need the mercy and grace of Jesus every day. Yet my hope is that the Lord will approve of how I invested the years I have been given, that (like Paul) I pursued things that matter. Lord let it be so. Amen.