Years ago I was driving through the desert listening to the radio and the station was playing what it called “great tapes” (I think you get the era). They would play great preaching messages. And what I heard was so profound it caused me to pull off of the road, stop my car, and listen intently. The message was echoed as the preacher (Tommy Oaks), in a southern drawl, stretched out the words “think etttterrrrrrrnity” over and over again. He went on to explain how long eternity is compared to this life. If eternity was represented by a long line, then our temporary suffering would ‘just be a dot’. Certainly he was right. But, he reminded us that the difficulties and sufferings of this life will are ‘momentary’ and ‘light’ compared to what God does in us… which is to work out a far exceeding weight of glory. You see, that’s why Christian suffering can make sense. I am not minimizing what people endure. But, if framed in the redemptive story of God, it truly will pale in comparison. That’s why I need to THINK ETERNITY.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18 NASB
What momentary and light affliction is troubling me right now? How can it be framed in light of eternity and endured with Christian character and grace?
God, as this day begins- I am thinking more of my friends who are enduring great difficulty… those whose parents are aging and require so much care, time, resources. Please give them the wisdom and support as they fulfill the Biblical command to honor mother and father. God, on my mind as well is Kasey’s delivery and the new baby. Please give her strength beyond her own, healthy child, and a relatively fast delivery. We are anticipating the joy.
