Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 11, 2022
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 16-18
7 But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. 8 We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 9 We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. 10 We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. 11 We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. 12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 16 So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. 17 Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. 18 We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.
Good morning! Our bodies are decaying, while our souls continue to grow.
On occasion, I examine time in regards to life. When we are young, our bodies are strong and beautiful. We can run and play for hours and each new discovery is approached with reverence and awe. Our perspective is founded in the present, and we can’t imagine ever growing old. Even becoming a teenager seems like a formidable accomplishment.
One day we wake up and we are young adults, and we are ready to give up childish things. We begin to see the world differently, but for a while we still imagine endless possibilities for our lives. We work to maintain our strong, beautiful bodies while we learn to think and provide for ourselves. Perhaps as a young adult, we experience our first real challenge when something suddenly doesn’t go as we had planned. At first, we feel defeated, but we muster our resilience and take a step in a new direction.
I can’t imagine how this works for those non-believers who are truly alone in their struggles. Even with Christ by our sides, failure is so hard, especially that first significant mistake. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. 13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
For each new challenge we grow through the strength of the Holy Spirit working within us. Before we realize it, our bodies have aged and our physical strength is waning, but we continue to grow spiritually. We begin to understand that outward appearance does not represent the person. We work to see the beauty from within and focus on what is lasting.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Thank you for our blessings. As our bodies age, help us continue to grow into the beings that you created. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: When I face challenges, I can share hope through vulnerability.
True beauty lies within! Pastor Liz