Reading
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 (NRSV)
Paul comforts with a promise of glory
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. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling -- if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Paul comforts with a promise of glory
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. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling -- if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Reflection
What hope we have! This slight momentary affliction is put in perspective. I must endure this little bit of life. I must endure and be joyous that this slight momentary affliction is a precursor to a continued life in Jesus. Sure, for today I groan in this tent that I have been given, but in the whole scheme of things, this is only a short while.
But in that short while, the number of lives that God can touch through me can astound even me. God touches other lives through the lives of the Children of God. God touches others through you and through me. God touches lives through the Spirit placed within us to do the will of God. God touches lives through the sharing of the Bread. God touches lives through the wonder of the Wine. God touches lives, here and now and invades our very beings with the water and the Word. God touches lives with the divine Word and the wonderful Command and the beautiful common elements of this earth. God touches lives. God touches you. God touches me. God reached out and touched...In this wonderful, joyous, important short span of time. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your presence this day. I thank you for the touch of your breath at my side as we stop to think about and ponder the wonder of your Word. --- Amen
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