What Will You Get?
“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” This is what the Lord says. (Jeremiah 45:5, NIV)
Recently, I haven’t been feeling joyful or at peace.
Every day, when I open my eyes, I just want to grab and get all sorts of things. Some of these things I don’t even need, and for others, I don’t know why I feel like I must have them. Just going with the flow, I guess.
Lately, I’ve also been experiencing difficulties brought on by my environment. It’s not that I can’t get through them, but they do complicate life quite a bit, adding unnecessary time and money costs. After struggling for two or three weeks, I realized that what I’m facing now is pressure.
As I get older, health issues are starting to emerge, and my energy levels aren’t what they used to be. Sometimes I think, it seems like I haven’t really accomplished anything in this life and I’m already middle-aged. Is there still a chance to do something?
All these things together have made my life feel gloomy lately.
Today’s scripture, “But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life,” reminded and encouraged me.
Even if I don’t get the things I hoped (or dreamt) of, even if I suffer loss for insisting on doing the right thing, even as my body inevitably breaks down and achievements seem scarce, God has already promised and given me the most important thing in life: eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Unlike others, I already know my final destination, and it’s complete, beautiful, and glorious. Therefore, I should live without worrying about the future.
Thank God:
Thank God. Even though there is pressure, even though life is tough, the Lord Jesus has overcome the world. Yes, the world is full of absurdity, ugliness, brokenness, and injustice, but those who believe in Jesus are destined for a perfect, eternal, and glorious kingdom.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12, NIV)
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:3-5, NIV)
Thank Dajie’s concern, for sharing devotional time with me, and helping me get back on track;
Thank God for letting me see that I have been harboring a mean and negative ‘defensive, adversarial’ attitude when collaborating with others. This attitude stems from the pride in my heart, always wanting to show off (often at the cost of putting others down);