August 5, 2008

• From Chrysalis to Butterfly

  

  "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,
  we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not
  built by human hands… For while we are in this tent, we groan
  and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but
  to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal
  may be swallowed up by life." (2 Corinthians 5:1,4 NIV)

  Through years of aching exhaustion, I've often said I'd like a
  new body.  Ethics aside, it's amazing what can be surgically
  transplanted -- a kidney, heart, lung, even a hand or face!  But
  they'll never manage a body transplant.  However there is hope;
  what man cannot do, God can and will.  The Bible says our
  dying bodies will be transformed into bodies that will never die.
  This hope of new life helps me through the most difficult times.

  God loved everyone so much He gave His only Son Jesus, so
  whoever believes in Him will live eternally with Him in heaven.
  Those in pain who don't believe live with despair and fear of
  what lies ahead, rather than hope for the future.  But whether
  believers or not He loves everyone equally and nothing we've
  ever done or do now will make Him love us any less.  Dear
  friend, are you groaning and burdened?  Jesus said, "Come to
  me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
  rest."  Telling Him about our pain and distress, our everyday
  problems and fears for the future brings inner peace and strength.
  If you've never done this, try talking with Him daily for three
  months and see what happens.  Even if your physical body
  doesn't change, you'll feel like a new person.

  Jesus can identify with us in all we endure.  He knew the
  frustration of being trapped inside a human body, having left the
  freedom of heaven to live as a man, and nobody suffered greater
  pain than He.  As Jesus was resurrected, so all believers will be;
  one day we'll shed these mortal bodies of ours and be swallowed
  up into glorious new life, free as a butterfly fresh from being
  confined in its chrysalis.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
  Janice McLaren is a mother and grandmother who lives by
  herself in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, where
  she has lived with severe chronic illness for many years.

  ******I have been very depressed lately, very much in pain from my fibromyalgia.  I for one cannot wait to leave this earthly body and be free as a butterfly.

  
  

  • 9:50 pm
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