2 Corinthians 4: Trading My Sorrows

My favorite song ever. I know many people apparently don't like this song made most famous, in my mind, by Israel Houghton, an awesome worship leader from Texas. Regardless, the song is taken from this chapter in the Corinthians and put to music. Verses 8 and 9 say we are troubled but not distressed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. This means that we are physically worn and battered through a close walk with Christ taking persecution for the brave preaching of His gospel, but our inward self and our eternity is strong and powerful to bear these hardships. The very last verse of this chapter says that the outward things which are seen are temporal and the unseen things are eternal. So criticisms, beatings (in the case of the apostles), political uproar due to religious intolerance, and so many more things are temporary. These things will pass, and the souls of those to stood for righteousness and for God will be living in eternal victory in Heaven when all is said and done. Go to class, be a bold and loud example of Christ. Don't sit back and watch dirty language happen or students disrespect a teacher or talk falsely about God and His Son. Stand up in class first to be the one to lead everyone in a God-glorifying manner whatever the situation. I really got to hand it to some of the athletes in FCA on Marshall's campus because there are some are the loudest and best and most effective voices for God on this campus. They use their leadership roles, however small or large, to influence others and openly tell them about God and ministries on campus and God's bearing on their lives. Props to them and their motivation. Many of us could learn a lesson from them.

All this to say, do not get tired of living a christian life because it's hard or because you would rather not bear the consequences of living for God in this world. Be strong, faint not, and reveal the gospel to the lost as best you can. This sharing of the gospel is our God-given ministry and our purpose.

Thank for listening to me,
Lance Pennington