Matter of Perspective

  

I was listening to some Thrice today and the song, “In Exile” came on. It never ceases to amaze me how much it changes my perspective. When we keep an eternal perspective, instead of our natural short sided tendencies, we can withstand anything.  I think about the time I worked for Albertson’s and someone destroyed the restrooms. I was so worried I’d be picked to clean it and I thought to myself, “they don’t pay me enough.” I couldn’t balance the cost with the money I earned. 

When we think about Christ and what He has done for us and offered to us how can we sit with our arms extended to our side and weigh the cost. Jesus has given us more than we could ever hope for even that which is, at times, beyond our imagination: Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 says:

Our Heavenly Dwelling

1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 -ESV

Our troubles here are temporary. We have a promise through Jesus Christ, of life to the full (Jn10:10). I will do well to remember that there is no need to weigh my worries or sufferings against my following of Jesus, He is always worth it.  In Christ we have a permanent dwelling beyond this life and one which is governed by Love Himself: Jesus. (1 jn 4:8)