40 Words for 40 Days: Day 39

Hello!

    Here we are, on the second to last day, and our word is ETERNAL. There’s a black spot on the counter in the kitchen that people often try to wipe away. It appears as if it’s coffee grounds or Oreo crumbs, but in truth it’s some marvelous mysterious element, imbedded as the marble was forming. At first I saw it as a representation of me(us) and sin. I know that by the blood of Christ my sins are forgiven, washed clean and white as snow, as scripture says. Yet, when I saw the swirling beauty of the marble, and I placed my fingertip on the speck, suddenly I had a new picture of grace. Not only does God forgive us, but instead of just barely blotting out our sin, his grace is vastly more merciful and bountiful than we can ever truly understand.

    The second thought about this speck came from our friend Sarah Davis. She described the spot as our earthly life, just a blip on the timeline of ETERNITY, with heaven surrounding it. We only know our day to day life, tangibly bound to earth, though our minds feel no limitation. The idea that in death our existence is snuffed out is unfathomable. The years and months rush by until the day will suddenly be upon us, and in Christ, the vastness of heaven’s beauty will astound us! We’ll look back and see all the tips of the icebergs of hardship that we endured, while God simultaneously kept us safe from the mountain of pain and suffering below the water of our life’s surface. We’ll finally know why God permitted what he did to equip us and the role our gift of free-will played. Understanding why evil existed, and where God was each time we called upon him in despair, will become crystal clear.

    With Jesus Christ before us, and heaven on our minds, our days on earth must magnify God. We haven’t time for worthless squabbles, condemnation or hurtful acts. Jesus has forgiven us of so much! We have no business judging others or wondering if his love will truly overcome. From now until our last breath, we must spend our ‘blip’ loving Jesus with all that’s in us and loving others in the same manner as we love ourselves.

    “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us ETERNAL encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16

    “Come now and let us settle this matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins were like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God and believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

John 4: 1-2

    Bye for now, see you tomorrow, Lord willing!