The Eternal Life

 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 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.”

As time goes by the person that we see in the mirror changes.  The image of the  person that we saw at age 20 does not resemble the person we now see at age 65, or 70, or 80.  Our body grows weaker.  Stairs become a challenge.  

But our inner nature, as Paul writes, grows stronger.  Each day is a new day in faith.  Each day we meet Christ.  Each day the spiritual image we see in the mirror is better than the day before.  Spiritual obstacles are less of a challenge now than ever before.

As we mature as Christians, as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, we grow stronger and stronger in our faith.  The physical image we see in the mirror is but a shadow of our spiritual, inner nature.

Practice the spiritual disciplines.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life.  And don’t worry too much about the image in the mirror.

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)