Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 AMPC
Context and Charge:
Life happens. Storms come. The wind blows. Trials press. Tough times form part of life and you cannot do without them. It appears that God also uses the experiences that He brings my way to build up character in me. The emphasis is on the inside. The outer man is the reflection of the inner man. The work that God does on the inside must always show on the outside. Check out all the men and women God used in the bible, and one thing that shines out so clearly is the fact that God had to subject them to His process, before they could be used for his purpose. These people went through the process, were used and then eventually died, but till today, we read and speak about them today.
That is the power of a life that has been subject to God's process. Sometimes, you do not look like what you have been through. Sometimes, there is physical evidence of God's process, like Jacob, who became Israel, who limped visibly after his 'process' with the angel. Whichever way God decides to deal with me it is clear that his process is not unto perdition, but unto paradise and peace. Fear of the experience is pointless, because at no time did God say I would go through it on my own. Fear is unnecessary because it is God's school, God's earth, God's creation, and all answers to Him. As I grow older, my outer man is indeed progressively decaying. No make up, touch up or set up can reverse aging.
Conviction and Conclusion:
You can do all you can to look or feel young, but without drugs or external influence, there are things you can't easily do at 75, which you could easily do at 35. Thank God there is more to my life than just this physical body. Even in this limited physical body, God chooses to display his power, splendour and grace by doing the most amazing work in the most mundane vessel. The treasure is not so much about what is outside, but about what is inside, shining out on the outside. When you see me, you must see the inner work of God. My life must be the visible expression of the inner inspiration of God. Does that describe me at the moment? Can men see the imprint of God upon my life? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment