If you are not reading 1 Corinthians then start. I have been encouraged tremendously by the first two chapters and I want you guys to be digging in with me. I don't care if you are behind, make time and jump on the Corinthian train... CHOOO CHOO!
Ok so I could once again talk about the amazing and encouraging first 5 verses but I won't. However, these are the verses we talked about having this kind of attitude that we see Paul have when we talk to our Non-Christian friends.
The next chunk is so encouraging to me. I have historically had a hard time wanting to be in heaven more than this earth. I know that's weird and definitely bad but i'm being honest. There are alot of things that I have enjoyed on this earth and several things that I am looking forward to: like dating and being married, raising kids, traveling, and such. Sometimes I cling to those things too much and I am like for sure looking forward to heaven, but I would rather experience those things first. But, verse 9 says:
"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared to those who love him"
I don't know about you guys but I can imagine some pretty cool things and for the Lord to say that I can't even imagine how great it is going to be.... incredible. Better than dating, better than marriage, better than sex, better than raising children... So I think I am ok if I don't get to do those things, because I trust God and his truth. Me wanting to do those things is my selfishness in our very materialistic American world. I want nothing apart from the Lord and if it his his will for me to do those things on this earth, I would love that. But all I need is him. He straight up told me that his plans are better than mine and I trust him because he is the one that hardwired me.
My prayer and challenge to you today is that you would let go of all the things and desires you have for this world and cling to Christ alone.
Cameron this post is so encouraging to me. wow. i want to cry.
ReplyDeletei feel like so much of the time i too feel the same way-- that i'd rather be in heaven than here on earth. there are desires in me that are not of this world and that this world cannot satisfy. so many times i am driving or walking somewhere and i just think to myself that i just want to be rid of this world and just be with God in heaven and experience His love and goodness and perfection. but...obviously that isn't His plan for us right now. we are still here.
i think though that God has allowed me (and obviously you) to see that these things we desire (which, i would like to point out are not sinful in themselves; it's not like we desire to make a lot of money or buy a yacht or something, but rather to have a spouse and raise a family)...are so so wonderful, but they aren't comparable to the riches and glory of heaven and eternity with Him that awaits us. and i don't really think that's a bad place to be at all. :) however, if those things are to come for us both...what blessings they will be.
thanks again.
AH, AMEN to what both of y'all said!! reminds me of the verses in philippians...
ReplyDelete"for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue withall of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." -Philippians 1:21-26
Paul is hard-pressed between the two! He desires both. AH. I feel ya, Paul. :]
keri, good connection.....i love that. it's encouraging that even paul himself was torn between the two. hmm. :)
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