Harvest Moment for April 1, 2020

Well, we've crossed the threshold into another month.  Seems like the world around us gets "crazier and crazier."  Someone once said, "I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."  That is a truth worth considering.  James observed, "you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (Jas. 4:14).  He made that observation within the context of those who would declare with boastful confidence that "today" or "tomorrow" they would do this or that.  James' comment reminds us that this life is uncertain.  We don't know what the future might hold.  Life is like a a "mist" or "vapor" that is here one minute and gone the next.  Now, that can sound rather fatalistic and depressing UNLESS the security of your life is locked up in a God Who DOES know the future and has promised an eternity to those who put their faith and trust in Jesus.  That's not an excuse to live irresponsibly.  God's word instructs us to be good stewards of the resources He has given, work diligently, and plan for the future.  BUT, ultimately, the future is in His hands.

This life is but a "drop in the bucket" compared to eternity.  Think about that image for a moment.  If you were to take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with water, then take an eye dropper and add one more drop, how significant is that one drop in the context of the whole bucket.  That illustration gives only a small glimpse of what this life is compared to eternity.  We get all bothered and anxious over the "small drop" that is our earthly life, when there is an ocean of eternity that we have to look forward to in Jesus.  Paul declared that the "sufferings of this present time [or even the best this world has to offer] are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18).  In another letter, he asserts, "the things that are seen [this world and all that's in it] are transient [and temporary], but the things that are unseen [all that we have spiritually in Christ] are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18).

None of this is meant to imply that we must grit our teeth, and grudgingly push on through this life of "sorrow and woe" with our only consolation being eternity.  In fact, as Christ-followers, we should be the most joyous and fulfilled of all individuals living on this planet.  After all, it is "God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17).  We just need to remember that, at its best, this world is merely a small tidbit of what awaits us beyond.  Our real citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20f).

Just a thought.

God's steadfast love and mercy are new every morning (cf. Lam. 3:22-23)

Pastor Kevin