"Did I firmly believe, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought, and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labour in its cause alone. I would take thought for the morrow of Eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a life of suffering. Earthly consequences should never stay my hand nor seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon Eternity alone, and on the Immortal Souls around me, soon to be everlasting happy or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth to the world and preach to it in season and out of season, and my text would be, 'what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?'"
Why is it that even though I possess a relationship with Christ, the hope of eternal life, and the promise of fullness of joy, that I can still get bogged down with the cares of this world and this temporary life? Today as I thought about this question it hit me...I lose sight of the greatness of the God whom I serve. Instead of focusing on Who He is, I focus on myself and let my problems seem greater than the God of the universe. How foolish.
Lord, help us to catch a vision, even a fleeting glimpse of Who You are. Help us grasp even the most minute understanding of Your infinite greatness, your unchangeableness, your fathomless mercy, and Your sacrificial love. Move our hearts to comprehend that we will never fully comprehend You. Let us see enough of You to understand our insignificance. May we bow in surrender and awe at Your holiness and perfection and may the glimpses of You that we grasp through Your word be enough to transform us and move us to serve You with our lives. Help us to understand just a fraction of Who You are…because if we do, we will never live the same. May we never trade the richness of imperishable treasures for the temporary comforts of earth and the passing pleasures of sin. You are everything and we are but dust. You are eternal and we are mortal. We are sinners, but you became sin for us. You are holy and we are being made holy by Your grace. May we walk worthy of You.
