Restless and Utterly Dependent

Surely, this Christian life only becomes a greater awareness of the utter and complete dependency we have on our Lord and Savior. Jesus commanded that his disciples abide in him and the warning we perceive is that if there is no abiding, then there is nothing we can do at all, for "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

How great of an awareness do we have of this lack of ability to do anything in and of ourselves, apart from Jesus, our Vine? Are we clinging ever so tightly to him? Christian, cling to him! He is all we have. Yet his return is immanent! Do not weary in well doing, for we shall surely have our redemption at the consummation of his return. We shall soon look up and know that our redemption draws nigh! Yes, soon and very soon!

May this momentary, light affliction be not what we look upon. For we must cling to the truth in God's word! We live not for this life, but for our eternal home. All of this earthly dwelling is temporary and passing away. Nothing will last into eternity except that which is eternal in our pursuit. Our good works in faith must occupy an eternal mindset. If we are not eternally minded, then we will quickly and easily become distracted and stained by this present age. For our true religion is that we care for the orphans and widows and also that we remain unstained from the world (James 1:27).

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18