2 Corinthians 4:18, “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.”
For over twenty-five years I woke daily to a lone almond
tree outside my window. One by one the other trees from a remnant grove had
ceased to grow. Each spring I anxiously watched for tiny nodules to see if its
life continued through the winter—to see if once again blossoms would rain a pink
and white carpet on my lawn.
By summer’s end
a wild breeze would blow through the almond tree and every so often dislodge a
leaf. Gradually a skeleton of
branches became clearer as the outer green coat dropped off slowly. Soon it
became bare, ready to face winter. Twisted brown limbs stark against the sky.
One day it will cease. One day our physical bodies will stop
too. But in Christ we will awaken to eternity. His words encourage us not to
lose heart, “though our outer man is decaying…light affliction is producing for
us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”
What is the weight of glory? We can’t see it, hold it or
identify it. But it grows everyday—through summer, fall, winter and spring
shaping us into His unique image. If we are willing to accept all the seasons.
To let sin and selfishness drop away leaving us visible—vulnerable. Willing to let our outer layers be
pealed off one by one. Willing to be rooted in faith that grows repeatedly.
Lord, during seasons when everything seems so perfect it’s
easy for my faith to remain constant. Please keep me close, Lord, during the winter season as well,
when I recognize there is nothing left except You, and You alone remain.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 40: 2
“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the
miry clay;
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.”
