Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NRSV)

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Reflect

This is a very familiar text for me since I do a lot of pastoral care with persons who are entering the death process. Most of the people with whom I work do not fear death, but have real concerns about the death process. Scripture does not tell us what the steps of this process will be, so we must trust the One who dwells within us and among us. When we trust, we can turn lose and surrender into the unknown, surrender fully to God. The people who understand this concept can easily let go and have a peaceful death. This text gives families a sense of peace as they watch their loved one fading away. It is helpful for the family to be reminded that God is at work within their loved one and more is happening within the person than what we can see.

But I think this text also speaks to all of us. As we age, we become aware that we can’t do things like we used to do them. If we can’t shift or adjust to doing things a new way or to finding other things to do in our lives, we usually begin to cease to be active. When these difficulties come to us and we can understand that God is working within us and can help us find new things to do, new ways of doing the old things, then we can live a longer, productive life.

I will go on and say that I think this text applies to all of life. We need remember that we should not lose heart! Even though things in our lives are changing and we find ourselves not understanding how or what to do, we are not alone. When things in our lives begin to shift and change, we should look within, listen to our Creator, seek direction from within, and allow God to lead and guide into the newness that is there for us.

Pray

Holy God, thank you for continuing to fill us and renew us when we can’t ask you or thank you. Be with us at those times in our lives when we are at a crossroad and need your strength and guidance to know what to do. Empower us to surrender unto you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Go with God.