Living in the Spirit
June 8, 2018
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. –2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1
I do occasionally lose heart. We think we have made some headway on racism and then a Ferguson happens. I along with many others worked to reduce the number of low birth weight babies in the 1980’s and forward. I now see that the percentage has increased since 1995*. We, humans, seem unable to sustain living the model of life provided by Christ. We have mini-awakenings often resulting from disasters but too soon forget that living and loving like Christ is an everyday all-day investment of our lives.
The stories of Jesus in the Bible mostly demonstrate positive results, but he too had his losing-heart moments. The rich young ruler** who was unable to get his priorities straight had to be a heartbreak. When I get down, I envision Jesus sitting on the hill overlooking Jerusalem when he said:
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)
Our strength and our encouragement come from one who experienced the same kind of heartbreak that we do and who went on to overcome the world on our behalf. We serve that same risen Savior today and trust our work to his overwhelming love sustaining us in our faith journey.
Prayer: Thank you God for sending your Son to experience life as a human and thus serve not only as our Savior but as our role model in your service. Amen.
*https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Oklahoma%20County2014.pdf
**Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-27