Momentary Troubles
We have become such an instant society, wanting what we want, when we want it. I had a friend from seminary who was from Africa and was still adjusting to here. One day he started sharing about a trip he took to the grocery store. He began talking about how he walked through one aisle and saw a jar of Tang, which he discovered was a powdered juice. The label said to just add water in order to get orange juice. He noted how amazing that was. A little later he went down another aisle and saw a box labeled powdered milk. It said to just add water and you had a glass of milk. Then he found a box that spoke of powdered mashed potatoes which, of course, you add water to and you get mashed potatoes. He said he was not prepared as he went through the pharmacy section and saw a container labeled Baby powder. Then he walked away leaving people wondering if he was serious or not. He had such a great sense of humor. Instant. Now. Immediately. I think we have lost the concept, in many ways, of preparing for tomorrow. I admit that finances can be tight, but too many people don’t put any money aside for the future. It might mean living in a simpler house, a cheaper car, and being thrifty. We live beyond our means. The same thing might be said of our daily walk with God. When we pray, we want the answer now, and we want it our way. When we invest in ministry, it is for something now and not investing in something that might have a great payoff down the road. In 2 Corinthians 4 we read, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Paul is reminding us not to be so focused on our current situation that we lose track of the bigger picture, eternity. Our bodies age and we struggle with worldly things, but as we walk with God, our spiritual life is renewed daily. The troubles we face today for God, will reap eternal rewards. Stay focused on the goal, the salvation of souls. Father, we are too often quick to complain and slow to learn. Help us to daily invest in You for our future, our salvation, our eternity. Amen