On wasting away....

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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.” II Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV

This message is more for those of us past middle-age, or perhaps those of us who are raising teenagers, or those who realize that their life is slipping away because of disease, elder years or a longing desire to go home to eternal peace and glory.  But we all need to listen to Paul’s words!

Paul wrote this letter, personally aware of how his body was being worn out from all the beatings, lack of sleep and other tortures he had already endured—and a lot more were coming. He could look in the mirror and not only see gray hairs, but a lot of scars, pre-mature wrinkles,  probably some disfigurement.  But that was not his focus—nor can it be ours either if we are truly sold-out for Jesus Christ.

Troubles will happen…. Don’t give it too much attention and realize that it has happened to all the saints.  Trouble and danger, in a war or battles are at the front line—not back in the safety and shelter of the reserve units. If you are in Christian ministry, or living faithfully and humbly to God’s directives——yes, you’re going to have trouble! The enemy is going to make you as miserable as he can, hoping you will give ups and go back to the reserve units!

Gray hair and sadness are coming—-accept it as the price for being in His service. Setbacks, disappointments in the nature of mankind is a promise! So ignore the mirror and the aches and pains, think on things that are eternal—-it helps ease the frustration of seeing our bodies deteriorate and our earthly plans evaporate.

Paul’s words gave me some peace today—“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.”   This is the only means of living in such a fractured, corrupted, immoral world!  It’s only way I can hold on when those that I love cause my shoulders to slump, or my heart feel like’s it going to explode!

No, the way things are commonly going in with those we love, and with those that trust is not the way we hoped, dreamed or imagined. Quite the opposite, it’s like we’re walking through a nightmare or sitting through a  very depressing movie.

But if you look at your situation too much…..think about all the “what if’s” that tomorrow might have in store, or take your personal accomplishments too seriously, you will lose heart!  I saw a television special made about our camp from just fourteen years ago, and I realized just how much I have aged in 14 years. The campers and staff saw me in the video, and said, “is that you?”  My sons, who have no filters, blurted out, “wow, you looked a lot younger and better back then!”

And of course, for most of us over 40 it’s true. We did look better 14 years ago.  But if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, we’re also a bit wiser…a little more focused on what really matters….less interested on the external appearance and more in love with the eternal hope than we were 14 years ago.

If you’ve ever spent much time in nature, you know that everything out there, beautiful and tranquil as it might appear, can in a moment turn ruinous or even deadly. More folks are killed each year by a cute deer than by the vicious alligators, cougars, snakes or sharks…. combined. Each time we get a cut, germs are instantly working to take us down. Each of us possess bacteria, germs even cancer cells that will eventually take our lives. We live in a hostile environment even if we’re young, protected, and very careful.  So we have reason to be afraid.  But “the remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”  (Oswald Chambers)

Jesus said,  “Fear not those who kill the body; the soul is what truly matters”. Matthew 10:28 NIV.  True or false?!  Eternity versus a few years on this rock!  God IS in charge, like it or not,  and He has placed us in a world that is disintegrating—- along with all the other parts of the created universe.  Part of His plan of  making us holy is that we are going to get wounded while we live in this temporary bodies.    We’re going to be disappointed, ignored and abused.

But here’s some great news! We can make some choices about what causes most of those scars, disappointments and abuse!!!!!  Did you hear that?  No, you can’t stop getting your knees scraped, your hearten broken from time to time, or the inevitability  of death.  But we can, to a large degree, choose whose side we’re on and thus the  banner under which we suffer.

It’s one thing to suffer because you get caught breaking the law, or because you are a coward, or because you choose to do things that bring unnecessary harm and pain upon your own body——smoking, over-eating, a promiscuous life, lying, cheating, being lazy, not caring for your own body, etc.   But the saints of old, and Paul and the other apostles, weren’t wasting away because of were playing video games all day, or because of a sedentary life, or because they were selfish or greedy, etc.   No, their bodies were being diminished because of a lack of sleep as the floated in the open seas, or because they  were kept awake by torturous jailers, or because they were up all night praying for their brothers and sisters in Christ!   They gray hairs, wrinkles and emaciated bodies were proof of their love for God—-medals of honor.

BUT, it’s also true, of course, that as much as we are able, we are expected  take care of these temporary dwellings we  call our bodies.  Scripture tells us,  “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”   But that does NOT mean we treat it like a museum, or some sacred piece of art that we can’t touch  or use!  No, it means that we don’t bring things into this temple, our bodies, that don’t belong!  Externally, that refers to NOT being careless with what we eat, drink, inject or inhale, but also to keep it clean from sexual sins, arrogance, pride unholy thoughts or any action or habit that dishonors the Holy Spirit!

So think for a moment about your body—right now.  Are you taking care of His temple?  It appears to me that even the way we smell and our appearance should be honoring to the Holy Spirit. And the physical, intellectual maintenance is upon us.   As much as you are able are you getting the rest you need, the right and nutritious food, the proper work out to keep that temple properly functioning.  If we’re disciples of Christ there’s not place for saying children things like, “it’s my body, I can do what I want with it!!!

No, my body belongs to Jesus now—-He redeemed my soul—which is presently occupying this “jar of clay”.  I am tasked with taking care of it and to keep it clean and ready for what He might require of it.  But it belongs to Him—-and He belongs to me. He’s my Savior and my God—have your own way Lord, even as this outward shell diminishes and the promise of a new, flawless, tireless and eternal vessel is waiting for me—-and each of us who call Him Lord.

And yet, there’s that temptation to “lose heart”,  or get depressed when we see ourselves loosing strength, slowing down, getting tired and decaying.  But if we are eyes are upon Him and the goal of having Him exclaim—well done, well done, we won’t fall into self-pity.

There’s a rather stern parable that Jesus used to drive this point home. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?  Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?  Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17, 7-10, NIV).

A bit humbling isn’t it!  You see, in this life we’re servants working for the King of Kings—-what an honor and privilege!!  But in heaven we’re going to be welcomed as more than mere servants—we will be honored as true  sons and daughters of God!!! So stop your bellyaching and do what He’s told you to do!

How?

-Put up with those that are weak in their faith!  You were once weak, and in God’s eyes you and I are babies—and yet He puts up with us!!

-Love those that hate you!  Nothing will remove a desire for revenge such as choosing to love those that do not love you—-and nothing separates you from the common man more!

-Pray for those that take advantage of you.  After all, we’ve all taken advantage of someone in our own lives!  Get over that feeling of being used and let Him use you to show God’s children respond to being disrespecting!!!

-Give and give and give….without expecting anything back.  That’s what God does for you and me everyday!

Are you being renewed day by day?  Let it happen now.  Your work will have eternal, glorious echoes!  Think about that tonight….