GROWING STRONGER AS WE GROW WEAKER
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.
Things just keep getting harder. I'm finally at the point where I no longer have to try to convince myself that I'm not 20 anymore... It's coming naturally now. A few years ago I could do 25 "clapping" push-ups and recently I went to do a few to start building up again. I couldn't even let myself down for the first push-up. Arthritis in my shoulders, replaced hips, cancer and just plain age, have put an end to push-ups and many other things.
Traveling to a lake to fish in Ontario was easy enough, getting in and out of the float plane and boat is a different story... but I got it done.I guess I'm still not ready to admit I'm not that old yet.
As my body grows older and is wearing out, God has now given me the ability to share the past and present stories through scripture 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.
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 now as well as His promises into eternity.
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