OUTWARDLY WASTING AWAY
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The last couple of years, after two hip surgeries, back issues and some severe asthma, has had me longing for fall in the high country of the Rockies. Then, just yesterday, I received a text asking me to join a ministry on an elk hunt.
For the last 36 hours, I've been considering my age and condition. 38 years of guiding across North America and hunting about dozen or more, has given me a desire to continue. But as my body grows older and begins to wear out, God has given me the ability to take and share my past experiences and memories through Scriptural applications with others. As my body breaks down my heart (spiritual) grows stronger in him. Maybe it's because I can no longer rely on my own strength and abilities, but must rely on Him. Maybe it's because I've allowed Him to work in and through me more now as I grow older.
When our reliance on God grows we become closer to Him. When we grow closer He will begin to use us in far different roles. Our usefulness in the family of Christ builds and our life becomes more and more centered on what God has for us in life. And what God has for us is more service for Him, by reaching others. The Christian that isn't serving God daily and doing what they can to reach others for Him is wasting a life.
Yes, "outwardly we are wasting away" but praise God, "inwardly we are being renewed day by day." We have a promise that what is unseen (The things of God) are eternal and as our bodies decay and fall apart we have an amazing hope in what God has prepared for us.
As we grow closer to the time of entering our eternal home, the end doesn't seem so scary. We start to look forward to it. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:2 "For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain".
Paul knew that while here on earth his life was about serving Christ. He also knew that when he died it would be so much better. We all need that complete assurance.
Life is fleeting, praise God for His provision here and into eternity.
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