The text above from Chapter 4 of James can be sobering. It
highlights the fact that life as we know it is temporary. It seems to have a
negative connotation, almost a doom and gloom tone reminding us that the
curtain will soon draw to a close. The only existence we have ever known has
been this life and naturally the thought of this existence coming to a close
can be a downer. But what if we examine this verse from a different angle…what
if we view this verse from the position of a people that are redeemed though
Christ? We can draw great joy and peace from this verse… almost as if reclining
in our chairs, exhaling with a big “Ahhh”, and joyfully day dreaming of what is
to come. Our lives are brief and I see that as an incredibly merciful and
joyful gift. For after this life, there is going to be this kind of
unfathomable paradise where we are finally at complete rest from the struggles
we know in this life. At times, I see the difficulties in life as actual
blessings as they seem to somehow magnify the promise of heaven. We struggle
and battle now, but there is perfect relief on the horizon…and that perfect
relief is coming SOON. I think that if we could all get a glimpse of what
heaven will be like, we would probably be lined up thousands deep, family in tow,
for the chance to check out today. I am immeasurably thankful that we get to
live life with this light at the end of the tunnel. I am thankful that we don’t
live on this earth for eternity, that the “battle” is not all that we know, and
that our Lord is merciful enough to provide something better on the horizon. We
hold such an incredible treasure in Christ! I pray that this joy and peace
makes a prominent home in our daily lives, reminding us that the battle of
today is “a mist that appears for a
little while and then vanishes”. To God be the glory!
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