2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1 (NRSV)
Read 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture-"I believed, and so I spoke" -we also believe, and so we speak, Verse 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Verse 15Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. Verse 16So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. Verse 17For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, Verse 18because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
Chapter 5For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Devotion
Sometimes, I want to quit a journey I previously thought was my call. Consequently, I attempt to interpret inconveniences or challenges as "signs" God does not want me to continue. These misinterpreted signs might be an insignificant succession of technological glitches, critical remarks, unfulfilled commitments and/or sparse resources. These inconveniences are nothing akin to the enormous barriers faced by our neighbors emigrating from poverty and/or violence. My challenges are inconsequential compared to Paul's afflictions, beatings, shipwrecks and imprisonments.
Remarkably, Paul assesses his desperate circumstances and yet rejoices in them! He realizes human frailty is the perfect context to reveal God's miraculous strength and love. If we could swoop in as all-powerful, caped superheroes who defeat evil and save the world, we would be God. However, God is God and we are not. So, no matter how insignificant our inconveniences or how enormous our desperate circumstances, be assured God is with us.
Prayer
Ever-present God, we rejoice that you are God and we are not. Forgive us when we use challenges as excuses to give up. Help us accept our human frailties and continue in our calls' journeys with trust that you are always with us. Amen.