The Sum of all Experiences

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 KJV

Life is all about experiences. We see the good and the ones we call the not-so-good ones. God allows different things come our way and make us grow, because he is more interested in our depth and maturity than he is in the world's definition of success. God always keeps an eye on the eternal whilst he is at work in the temporal, ensuring that everything I go through here leads to that eternal purpose of his. How do I know this?

First of all, God is described as a God of grace. That is fundamental to who and what God is. Grace walks in when everyone else walks out. Grace qualifies when there is nothing else that could ever qualify a man. That is what you and I have as a defence, anchor and rest. We must take full advantage of this.

Secondly, there is an eternal call upon our lives. God would not invest much effort and time on creatures if they were just temporal beings. He created us in his image, then placed a part of himself in us- his breath/Spirit. We do not actually die; we simply continue our eternal existence somewhere else. We are all working towards that eternal destination everyday, with our decisions, choices, relationships, actions and reactions. We had better be sure of where we will end up.

Thirdly, that call upon our lives includes suffering for the sake of Christ. We preach air-conditioned messages these days, telling people that our God is not a God of suffering. Whilst that is true, we do not tell the whole picture. He is not a God of suffering, but he is a God of purpose who may take us through the valley of pain and trials so we can endure the heights of joy that he has prepared for us. Joy is not determined by the outer, but by the Inner Presence. Note however, that nothing will last forever, except God. Sufferings, pain, outward success and symbols of prosperity will all come to pass, but God will remain forever. You must therefore be found in Him first of all, so that all that you hold and have will make sense. Don't labour for perishables; pursue the eternal. The benefits are worth it: you are made perfect, established, strengthened and settled. Only God does that, no man can. His time of favour is here.