Keeping an Eye on the Eternal

Nobody denies that we are in the middle of an economic mess. Bank failures, tumbling real estate markets and large layoffs drive the point home. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  It’s a “trickle down” mess that’s affecting everyone, even the publishing industry. Nervous publishers are cutting back.  Suddenly, many of us writers find ourselves without a contract, and uncertain prospects. Perhaps some wonder if God is putting them on a shelf for a time. Or is He finished using them all together? Then again, maybe He’s orchestrating a career change? I’ve had all these thoughts.   

But I’ve also been thinking about other things too, things I so often take for granted:  family, friends, health, a roof over my head, food on the table. And though I know it sounds clichéd, I’ve begun thanking God, really thanking God, for all of them. There’s nothing like adversity or its threat to pare down the nonessentials, to force those normally iron legs of ours to bend at the knee before the will of God.

And I’ve begun thinking about something else, too; something I’ve heard a thousand times: This earth is not my home.  And it’s not yours either. Our sojourn here is but a blink of an eye when compared to all eternity.  And oh, how glad I am that God really is in control, that He really does love us, and has a plan and purpose for our lives no matter what situations or circumstances say. And if that’s true, if that’s really settled in our minds and hearts, then I think the question is, will we walk by faith or by sight?  Will we walk by what we see, allowing fear, frustration and disappointment to lead us?  Or will we lean on God’s word that says things like: we can do all things through Christ who strengths us; that He will never leave us or forsake us; that His grace is sufficient?

Our trials often seem so consuming, severe and painful, but will we remember them on the “other side” when we—the believers in Jesus—encounter the wondrous things that God has prepared for us?  I think so since the Bible does say God will wipe away all our tears.  But even so, I suspect what we’ll remember most is if we allowed these trials to draw us closer to God; if we allowed Him to be strong in our weakness.   

And that’s a sobering thought.

Until next time,

Sylvia