“Eternal Glory > Broken Tables”

Thursday, March 07, 2019

I am happy to announce that our family is now moved into our new home in Belpre.  We love the house and have wonderful dreams about ministry that can happen there.  However, I must admit that moving did not go as smoothly as we hoped.  Some of our possessions were in an uncovered trailer.  After checking the weather in Michigan (which said clear skies all day) we thought it would be okay.  We should have checked the weather in southern Ohio too I suppose.  After driving a few miles first it dumped snow, then it rained, then it hailed, then it snowed some more.  We scraped a half inch of ice off our stuff when we got there.  Additionally, the U-Haul got stuck in a ditch when we tried to back it up into our narrow drive, requiring a wrecker at two in the morning.  Gasoline from the tipped lawn mower got dumped on our best mattress.  A few other pieces of furniture got wrecked in transition.  And you know what?  It’s okay.  All of these are temporary things.  “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

                My troubles are temporary and my best blessings are forever.  Whatever minor trial we go through does not come close to comparing to all the good that is in store for me as a Christian person.  By comparison even a severe illness, even the complete loss of all our possessions, even being separated from one another for a time is a “light and momentary trouble.”  This is one of the many reasons I am so happy to be a Christian.  I know that even if I have to walk through some dark valleys God is always leading me to good places.  What hope do you have if you do not follow the Lord?  What hope do you have as your body wears out and your possessions rust and break and those you love pass away?  I’m sure I know several people who would fall to pieces if their table or their T.V. broke in the U-Haul.  Without Christ they have no hope of anything better.

                Let all who belong to Christ know that our hope is great.  Let’s say along with David: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).  Whether God gives or takes away let us praise His name!  His presence in our lives is worth far more than any material thing we could hope to gain.  His love is more precious than any costly jewel.  These are blessings that can never be taken from me.  They are blessings I enjoy now, they are blessings I will enjoy in the house of the Lord forever.  If you cannot say the same I encourage you to put your treasure in a different place.  Then all of your troubles will seem light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that outweighs them all. 

Written by Doug Wells

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