L
I hear you.
As the old expression goes, and I don't mean for this to sound the least bit dismissive or to somehow diminish the severity of anything that you're presently going through, "You're preaching to the choir".
In other words, my own life very much mirrors yours, so I know exactly what you're talking about.
I heard a sermon once in which the preacher said that you could have the fastest and strongest horse ever, yet it's basically of no use whatsoever to its owner until the time comes that it is broken or until it comes into submission to its rider.
And so it is with us and God.
If a seed doesn't fall into the ground and die, then it never produces a harvest.
It truly is in losing our lives that we find them.
That's easy to say, but, as you've admitted yourself, and as I'll similarly admit now myself, not as easy to live out.
We truly came into this world naked, and we'll leave with nothing but that which is eternal.
Everything else is vanity and a striving after the wind.
As you said earlier, Paul had a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better, yet it was needful that he remain in the flesh for the potential benefit of others.
In my own case, if it wasn't primarily for my children, who I love to pieces, and for the harvest which is perishing in the field, spiritually speaking, then I'd have absolutely nothing holding me to this present life or to this present evil world.
Again, it's somewhat scary to even say that in that this life, to a large degree, is all that we've ever known.
At the same time, however, if we've truly "tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:4-5), then this, and this alone, is what sustains us in the midst of our trials and tribulations, and ultimately in the face of death.
Like I said, you're in my prayers.
As the old expression goes, and I don't mean for this to sound the least bit dismissive or to somehow diminish the severity of anything that you're presently going through, "You're preaching to the choir".
In other words, my own life very much mirrors yours, so I know exactly what you're talking about.
I heard a sermon once in which the preacher said that you could have the fastest and strongest horse ever, yet it's basically of no use whatsoever to its owner until the time comes that it is broken or until it comes into submission to its rider.
And so it is with us and God.
If a seed doesn't fall into the ground and die, then it never produces a harvest.
It truly is in losing our lives that we find them.
That's easy to say, but, as you've admitted yourself, and as I'll similarly admit now myself, not as easy to live out.
We truly came into this world naked, and we'll leave with nothing but that which is eternal.
Everything else is vanity and a striving after the wind.
As you said earlier, Paul had a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better, yet it was needful that he remain in the flesh for the potential benefit of others.
In my own case, if it wasn't primarily for my children, who I love to pieces, and for the harvest which is perishing in the field, spiritually speaking, then I'd have absolutely nothing holding me to this present life or to this present evil world.
Again, it's somewhat scary to even say that in that this life, to a large degree, is all that we've ever known.
At the same time, however, if we've truly "tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:4-5), then this, and this alone, is what sustains us in the midst of our trials and tribulations, and ultimately in the face of death.
Like I said, you're in my prayers.
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