“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Life is a journey! It’s often a series of walks through valleys, climbing peaks, descending back into the valley and then repeating. It’s been said that life is a marathon, not a race. There are several significant life events (this list not exhaustive) that illustrate the challenge of the marathon…here are four:
- Death of a loved one
- Major illness or injury
- Job loss
- Relocation
Have you experienced one of these “life events” recently? Perhaps a series of them within a short period of time? Are you at a point in your life where it seems to be one “hit” after another? Well, don’t feel like you own the exclusive rights. None are exempt!
Are you on the top of the mountain? Remember that it takes less time (usually) to descend back down into the valley than it did to ascend up. God has a plan for each and every one of us. But know that He is Sovereign — and He is Good — ALWAYS!
We can look at these “life events” from either a temporal or an eternal perspective.
The temporal perspective: Life is a bowl of lemons – even when I make lemonade, it is still at best, bittersweet. I fight and fight and fight and still don’t seem to be making much progress. My efforts aren’t enough. I manage sometimes to get to the top of the hill but unsure if I’ve ever been or will ever get to the top of the mountain. Life is a continual grind, full of disappointment and frustration.
Or…
The eternal perspective: Life is an adventure. I serve a certain God. He’s Omniscient. He’s Omnipresent. He’s Almighty. Jesus Christ is God! “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). I understand that I’m to be faithful, obedient and thankful to the moment.
My hope doesn’t come from myself or man, but God alone! God is Good all the time! Always!
My own effort isn’t enough – but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
( Philippians 4:13). –But only when I realize that the strength isn’t mine, but His. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
His timing is perfect – mine, not so much. “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God is preparing all of us for eternity with Him.
“’…but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things’ declares the LORD” ( Jeremiah 9:24).
One must ask the question – am I looking at life through a temporal lens or an eternal lens? Am I in focus and looking through the lens of eternity, or out of focus, and looking at life temporally?
How we view life often times determines our attitude – independence from God (temporal filter) or dependence on God (eternal filter).
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” 2 (Corinthians 12:9).
Be Glad! (For we are weak but He is strong!)
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