It doesn't take a genius or a person with skills to ascertain the obvious... that 2020 has been one of the worst years in human history as we have faced the Covid 19 pandemic and the aftermath of its march through time. YES THIS YEAR HAS BEEN EXHAUSTING AND WITH AN ELECTION JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WE CAN'T STOP TO TAKE A BREATH EVEN NOW....
Now, I am not trying to downplay the toil of human suffering, grief, worry and anguish that has taken place in our lives or the lives of those we hold dear; but in the light of such suffering, death, famine, pestilence and disease that is already documented on the pages of history, our fight (and upcoming victory over a rare form of the flu) seems but a footnote to a plethora of hard times coursing through our world. Indeed, some of us have suffered more than others; however, for many of us, this battle with this pandemic pales in comparison to some of the heartache and heartbreak that we have already been through in our lives.
In fact, that is probably the reason that the apostle Paul penned these word in 2 Corinthians...to remind us that no matter how hard life is, with it 's onslaught of pain and suffering, we can take heart in our future and what awaits us... just over the valley of death in our glorious home with our Heavenly Father.
We know that Paul suffered greatly; however, he chose very carefully to call his suffering "light"....why did this clarion of the gospel choose to downplay his sufferings? I believe he did this to encourage us; as if to say, "If I can make it through all that has been laid upon me, I know, if you keep your eyes fixed on the prize that awaits each of you who runs the good race, your afflictions will feel light in the moment that you steady your heart and mind on heavenly things!"
Yes, life is hard and we must bear many a cross of suffering as we journey toward our heavenly home...and that should be expected since we follow in the footsteps of the Suffering Servant of Nazareth......OHHHHH, BUT THE GLORY THAT AWAITS US AS WE TAKE THAT STEP OF COMPLETION INTO THE PRESENCE OF OUR FATHER AND RECEIVE THE FULL MEASURE OF THE GLORY THAT WILL BE OURS AS WE REMAIN FOREVER WITH HIM!!!! Take heart in your journey as you hold fast to this one simple truth....
THE CROSS TAKES ON A NEW MEANING IN THE SHADOW OF AN EMPTY TOMB!!!
I think the great man of faith, Zig Ziglar, said it best when he said, "We hear tears loudly on this side of heaven. But we don't often take the time to contemplate the cheers that are even louder on the other side of death's valley."
Today fix your eyes, heart and mind on the things unseen...those things that are eternal. Only then will you come to realize that the afflictions that seem to hold you back from being who God wants you to be are indeed light...and only temporary....because you have an Heavenly Father who waits at Heaven's door with arms wide open, ready to welcome you HOME!!
Liberated in my light afflictions....
Forever fixated on the Father,
WPQ
Poem for the day....
There are those days that weigh me down;
When my troubles seem too much to bear...
But I cast my
gaze toward Heaven's door
And see my
Savior standing there.
For me to show
my love and deep affection;
Knowing that He
will bear me up
As I struggle
with my light afflictions.
The things I'm
going through;
But He never
turns His love away
No matter what I
do...
Be they in
happiness or unending gloom;
I will take
heart in this everlasting thought...
The Cross is
overshadowed by the
GLORY OF AN EMPTY
TOMB!!!!
WPQ ©
October 2020
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