Why do we order life, or rather think life should be ordered, for our comfort and ease? We spend time accumulating, building, investing in things that fade like freshly picked flowers.
Lately, I have been challenged by the Spirit and God’s word to think on life in light of eternity. This momentary circumstance (whether infertility, not having your house be what you want, having trouble with your child’s behavior, the loss of a child, an extremely hard marriage, a less than fulfilling job) is about more than just it’s resolution. This life, lasting from 70 to 80 years or more is practice for eternity. It is a training ground…a refining ground, rather. This sin entrenched, hard world is not the end. It is the place and time to learn what it is to know repentance, know Christ and make him known. It is the time where we are made more like him clinging to the fact that that work will be complete in us when we meet him (Philippians 1:6).
It is so easy to make my goal ease and personal comfort thinking “this is the only life I have to live, I deserve…” But, that my friends is the farthest from the truth. Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble. James encourages us to count it all joy when we face trials of many kinds (James 1) because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness (and steadfast love is a character trait of our Lord). We are tried, and that testing is used in the process of becoming more like him. Our reward is not here…it is in heaven and on the new earth where there will be no more pain for ETERNITY, where we will have been totally transformed, where we have perfect fellowship with one another, where we will enjoy God fully. So, when you are thinking, “my life sucks…”–it might. But, in Christ, our hope is not in the now to fill us.
I was walking on Cherokee Blvd today looking at beautiful houses–immaculate landscape–prime real estate. Those fortresses will crumble, but those are often our goal–to consume now. (not that if you live there you are sinning–just depends on what is in your heart). Then, I thought, those in Christ are aliens here. This is not our home. We are merely camping.
When you go camping, you do not expect lavish comfort or a fulfilling night’s sleep. You know what you are in for and enjoy it–the company, the “roughing” it. You do not expect the tent to be like home. I think we all need to be reminded that we are camping–not looking for our home here, not expecting comfort or ease of situation when it is not promised. And, just like camping, we learn many good skills and take time to invest in relationships along the way preparing us and bringing us joy when we think of our bed at home…the feast that awaits at home. Camping is not the end just as this world is definitely not the end. In the light of eternity, this is a flash. Just as Paul says, these “momentary troubles are not worth mentioning” compared to the glory of knowing him forever. I always need a dose of reminder of his truth instead of building a house and life for “my” comfort and ease and getting highly frustrated when it does not work. So, my prayer is to remember that my reward is in heaven. God give me grace to seek your truth and your ways and your glory above me.
The Art of Coming Alive 
Thanks for your honest, truthful words. I work in the neighborhood so I think often of those who appear to have all that they need/want in this lifetime and I think, I sure hope they know God and know His peace. I am sorry that you are struggling with infertility. I struggled for a short time (4 years). It was the moment that I gave up completely the notion of becoming pregnant with a child that I became pregnant. We prayed about it in my women’s group. The girls were so sweet to lay hands on me and pray and to let me sob tears of surrender. I was so sick of the fertility books, expert websites, basal temperature thermometers. It was so freeing to leave all of it at His cross.
God in His miraculous timing had already given me a child at that time…I just didn’t know it. The girls and I looked back in praise and delight and realized that I was already 2 weeks pregnant when I prayed the prayer of surrender. Every time I watch “Facing the Giants”, I can relate to the coach’s wife. That was and still is me! With God NOTHING is impossible.
I am lifting you up in prayer, sister!
Love from our Father,
M
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers, Maria.
I was thinking of you again and wandered over to see if you had blogged recently and looked over my last post and realized that it sounds very shallow…I was really trying to convey that no matter our circumstance, it is good to know that God is bigger than all of what we face. It was indeed an excellent analogy to use camping as a metaphorical glimpse into what we are doing here. It is for refinement I hope as well. Please know that it deeply encourages me when I see someone as young, talented, beautiful and humble as you struggle and to see how transparent you are with your relationship with God…it is freeing to know that we are not alone in our challenges to live the godly life. Thank you for your lessons through your blog musings on humility and the lovely reminder to turn our eyes towards heavenly things (for the earthly things that will pass soon enough).
I am always especially moved by the lyrics in “The Desert Song” (Brooke Fraser/Hillsong) and wanted to post an excerpt of them here as a reminder to all of us of Jesus’ faithfulness, and His goodness, His deep and perfect love, His infinite wisdom…and His incredible and perfectly timed providence! I’m sure that you and many of your blog followers will know this song well, too.
Thank you, Holy and Divine Creator, King Jesus! We have every reason to praise and sing in every season of our life! No matter what our circumstances, You are and always will be our Father in Heaven. Hallelujah!!!
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of
more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
I will bring praise,
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow.
This is EXACTLY what we talked about in small group tonight. It is amazing to me how God uses different people to get a message across to me. Very humbling…