Light and Momentary

Have you noticed that every year is more challenging than the last?  We struggle through illnesses, deaths, and yes, the ominous “aging odyssey”.  As we celebrate “one more birthday”, many of us are probably wondering what the future has in store for us.  The bottom line question is, “What does God have in mind for us?”

One thing that I’ve noticed as I read Scripture is that when the people of God faced adversity, it’s as if they were viewing their situation through binoculars—everything looked large and close up.  Yet when they looked at God, they turned the binoculars around and saw Him so small and so far away.  Scripture continually reminds us that we need to see God through the same lens we see our situation.

The first thing that I am reminded of is that our situation, individually or collectively is temporary, not permanent.  It is a chapter in our continuing story and not the epilogue, and it is short, not heavy.

I know.  I know.  I am not in your shoes going through the challenges that you’re facing.  I also hope that I don’t sound unkind or insensitive, but I am not the one who tells us this.  It is the Apostle Paul who says, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory…” (II Corinthians 4:17a).

One day as I read these words, I remembered thinking, “‘Light and momentary’...That’s easy for you to say, Paul.”  But as soon as that thought came to mind, I was reminded of Paul recounting his difficulties in II Corinthians 11:23-29.  As difficult as our trials are, I think that it is much more important to get a glimpse of what Paul is beholding, “eternal glory…”

I’m guessing that most of us do not meditate on this because, like the Old Timers from Maine, we have the sense, “You can’t get thayah from heyah.”  Rightly so.  Thomas was just as bewildered when he asked Jesus, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Jesus could have said, “What did I just say?  Thomas, are you paying attention?  Are you listening?”  Instead, Jesus answers, “I am the way…and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).

It will not only take Divine power to take us to our eternal destination, but it will also take a miracle to give us an eternal point of view.  The Good News is that this is the message from Heaven.  Listen to what else Jesus has to say to His disciples in John’s Gospel:

 …I too will love them and show Myself to them” (14:21).  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (14:26).  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives (14:27).  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine…apart from Me you can do nothing (15:4-5).  I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (15:11).   All this I have told you so that you will not fall away (16:1).  But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you (16:13-14). I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (16:33).

And Jesus continues to be our bridge, intercessor, and vehicle into the heavenly realm as He prays:

Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent (John 17:3). Righteous Father…I have made you known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love you have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them (John 17:25).