Lost in the now

From 1/13/2020

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It is a dangerous thing to be lost in the NOW.

I watch very little television news. I hear the urgency of all the voices and the focus on the negative and it does nothing but make me focus on what is happening and not on the One that is really in control.

I take my eyes off the hope of glory and onto the sad events, which in turn causes me to internalize the misery and focus on the struggles in my own life.

We live in a world that is in a state of decay. It is all degrading and falling apart much like our bodies. We are robbed of our joy. There are mornings when I awaken with a dark spirit, filled with a heaviness that diverts me to the harsh realities that fill my vision, obscuring the glories of God. I am grateful that the Lord doesn’t leave me there.

Like a doting father seeking to tickle a smile from a brooding child, He reminds me of the Glorious. It may be the lyrics of a favorite worship song that begins playing in my head, or perhaps the God moment from the previous day, or a time when He delivered me. My vision is corrected and my angle of view changes from me to Him, from my navel to the Heavenlies.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:1-5‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Yes, I am still in the present. Yes there is pain and suffering and struggle, but I know that something better is coming. Even the word better fails to do justice. There are no words to describe the glory that will be revealed.

Praise the Holy Spirit! Those of us who are born again through faith in Christ carry with us glory as we proceed through life. He reminds us of what is to come and gives us the power to persevere. We have His Word which reminds us of His faithfulness.

I am dazzled daily as the darkness rising in me is displaced by the light as read my Bible, pray and worship.

I remember encountering the late Bob Hayton in church every week who would always exhort me to “keep looking up”. I pass that on to you…KEEP LOOKING UP!

https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm