The Eternal Weight
of Glory Awaits.
by Tom
Caballes
"For
this light momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of
glory beyond all comparison." 2
Corinthians 4:17 ESV
We all experience hardships,
failures, relationship difficulties,
illnesses, and suffering at different points
in our lives - even when we have Jesus as our
Lord. Some trials are light and easy, but some
are long and very difficult. They go away for
a time, but then another ordeal comes our way.
It seems as if life is a series of challenges
with some respite in between, and at times
they feel like they are all happening at the
same time they can feel overwhelming! But
the good thing about it is that as Christians,
there is a reason why we persevere with such a
tumultuous challenging life one day, all of
them will go away. One day, we will say, its
worth it. He will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning, nor crying,
nor pain anymore, for the former things have
passed away. (Revelation 21:4) That is great
news! Paul says that our current afflictions
now is preparing for us an eternal weight of
glory that awaits us. And that weight of glory
would be incomparable to the worst things in
life now. What is some temporary suffering for
70 years or so compared to billions of years
of true joy and fulfilment for eternity? Can
you start feeling the weight of glory?
So How Do We
Await the Weight of Glory Due to
Us As We Persevere in Life?
- Even
in your most challenging situations, keep in
mind that all trials are temporary.
Prolonged disease or relational difficulties
can at times feel forever, but they will
end. Winners do not quit when life is hard.
- Have
a balanced view of life. Have an eternal
perspective with what is happening to you
all the time. Know and be confident that God
is with you at all times, and He will never
leave you, even if at moments it may feel
like that. And we know that for those
who love God all things work together for
good, for those who are called according
to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Never
give up trusting and hoping in God let Him
be your true anchor!
- Know
that God is forming you into His image and
likeness, and He uses trials as a way for
you to smoothen up your rough edges in your
character. Anticipate that challenges will
come your way. Rejoice in the midst of
trials. James 1 [see text below] encourages
us to count trials as something you can have
joy even as you encounter it. No one likes
tests, but after the ordeal, you are better
off as long as you learn from it.
- Store
riches on heaven, not on earth. Do not
lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal.
(Matthew 6:19-20) Do not tire doing good to
all, for in due time, your work will bear
fruit either here on earth or in heaven.
See Galatians 6:9-10.
- Everyone
you meet and encounter in this life your
neighbours, friends, officemates, and
schoolmates - can potentially have that
weight of glory, too. Each person has an
eternal destiny; do your best to influence
them so that they would one day share Gods
presence with you. Share the Gospel in
season and out.
- Anticipate
heaven. Dream of it; think of it; meditate
on it. Know that everything you do and
accomplish in life is passing. Your life in
God will be the only thing left in the end.
Put your ultimate hope and trust in God, who
will welcome you with open arms when we
finish our race; then we will experience the
weight of glory!
Other Scripture passages:
- For
I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worth comparing with
the glory that is to be revealed to us.
(Romans 8:18)
- Count
it all joy, my brothers, when you meet
trials of various kinds, for you know that
the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. And let steadfastness have
its full effect, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking in nothing. (James
1:2-4)
- Other
Bible verses: Romans 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians
2:9; Philippians 3:20; and 1 Peter 5:10.
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- How
focused are you on the hope you have in
Christ?
- How
often do you think of your eternal life in
God?
- How
does that put into perspective your daily
trials and sufferings?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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Top image
credit: man in a maze while distant glory
awaits, illustration (c) by Kevin Carden
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