The Eternal Weight of Glory (thoughts from 2 Corinthians Ch 4)
Life can be terribly weighty sometimes, can’t it? Whether it is the weight of sin, the struggle of ministry, fighting a cancer diagnosis, wrestling with disobedient children, or just waiting for an answer that seems just beyond our grasp, life can feel like a constant battle.
As Christians we have the added struggle of knowing that a “good Christian” is supposed to be filled with joy and peace, not discontentment and anxiety.
It is hard to admit that we are fragile, but that is exactly what we are in the flesh. Though we have been given the greatest of treasures, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”, it is held in “jars of clay” (2 Cor 4:7). We are jars of clay.
Though we must constantly turn to him for help as we strive to serve him, God in turn shines upon us in the person of Jesus. And when he does, we show that “the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Every time we are afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed, God’s power is displayed and his glory shines. As he repeatedly picks us up, strengthening and sustaining us, we reflect his light into the world.
I Cor 4: 16-17 says, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”
Your afflictions, whatever they are, are not without purpose as you turn to him. Do not lose heart, for God is renewing your inner self and the benefit grows over time. God is remaking you from the inside out so that one day soon you will be prepared to bear a new weight, an eternal weight of glory.
A day is coming when everything will be new, everything right, everything glorious, much like it once was in the Garden of Eden. Your new self will be free from the burden of sin to take on the full weight of the glory of God in the face of Christ! This eternal weight of glory will not be a burden. It will be your bounty, the way by which you can see Jesus face to face and not be crushed or driven away in fear. You will walk with Jesus, just as Adam and Eve once did in the Garden of Eden. Wow! What a day of rejoicing that will be.
I know it’s hard to wait. If your spirit is troubled, take some time to meditate on 2 Corinthians chapter 4 this weekend. You will not be disappointed.
Let me end with a few stanzas from a song whose words have encouraged me when I am struggling. It is not a Christian song, but when I listen with a Christian ear, it has been a helpful reminder that things will not remain as they are. In Christ, things will only get better as he renews us day by day. And before you know it, we will be standing in the middle of the garden!
Pastor Brad
Hands dirty from diggin’ in the dirt.
Plantin’ seeds prayin’ it’ll work.
Grass stains on your blue jean knees
Tryin’ not to get tangled in the weeds
It can feel like forever
Waiting on the fruits of your labor
Seasons gonna change
Flowers gonna grow
Know it’s hard believin’ in the freezing cold
Winter’s gonna go
Spring will come and then
Suddenly, you’re standin’ in the garden
Standin’ the middle of the garden
Just picture when summer says it’s time
Pickin’ ripe tomatoes straight off the vine
Little faith goes a long, long way
God knows when we need the rain
To make you tough, make you stronger
So just hold on a little longer
Seasons gonna change
Flowers gonna grow
Know it’s hard believin’ in the freezing cold
Winter’s gonna go
Spring will come and then
Suddenly, you’re standin’ in the garden
(Lyrics from “The Garden” by Abbie Callahan)
