Obvious but Overlooked
I was blessed to attend a ladies’ day this past weekend at a sister congregation here in Cookeville. Laura Jenkins was the speaker and was covering some of the much-needed and well-studied information from her book Thought Garden. A group of ladies from my congregation has been basing devotionals on this book for some time so it was good to hear the author add more insight to some of her thoughts.
While there, she referenced some of my “special” verses – special to me because of a time in my life where they upheld me and gave me strength. They are so special that my sweet brother and sister (in-law) gave me a hand-crafted wall hanging of part of the following scripture and I see it daily. The whole passage is this:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:6-11)
The beginning of the passage is what I see daily, but the end is our focus for this article. How many times have I read this and missed the obvious? Our suffering is for a little while, but our promised glory is eternal.
So, in line with principles of the Thought Garden, when I feel overwhelmed or alone, I can remind myself, “This is only for a little while, but my heavenly reward is eternal.” How often do we focus on what looms large right in front of us, and forget to look beyond; to what God promises His faithful. May my focus look to the eternal, not the things of the earth that truly do only last for a little while.
“What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
