The Turgid Miasma of Existence - Part II

As I stated in the previous post, many passages from the Bible could serve equally well to teach, rebuke, correct, train, and equip us (2 Tim. 3:16-17) to face the minutiae and the mundane of every day living, but the following have been ever-present reminders in my own struggle these days with the turgid miasma of existence.

The writer of Hebrews said,

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-3, ESV).

Like everyone, we can get “weighted” down in life with a host of things; not the least of which is our own sin. We can stay “weighted” down by these things and struggle to even make it through the day without falling, or we can cast them off and run like a champion. The latter is God’s plan for His children.

And note that all the while, we are “looking to Jesus” as the supreme and only perfect example of how to run life’s race with faithful and joyful perseverance. Jesus endured what He did, according to the writer of Hebrews, “for the joy that was set before Him,” and is now “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We spend most of our time burdened down by the junk that is behind us, but God’s plan is that we would, instead, be buoyed up by the joy that is before us. You see, we’re not running from something, but for something – the prize – the finish line (1 Cor. 9:24-25). One day – not yet – but one day, we will have finished the course (2 Tim. 4:7-8) and be at home in heaven with Jesus. Until then. . .

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses whose lives prove this race can be run with faith and perseverance to the glory of God (Heb. 11). From their example, and supremely from the example of our Lord Jesus, we are reminded that no one ever wins a race by starting well, but by finishing well. They did it, and by God’s grace, we can, too.

Earlier, the writer of Hebrews said,

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (Hebrews 11:8-10, ESV).

Abraham's faith was unwaivering in the face of uncertainty. God called him to go to “a place that he was to receive.” In other words, he didn’t have it yet. And he went, “not knowing where he was going.” In other words, he had to depend on God’s guidance - not once in a while, not once a week, not even every day, but every step along the way. And so he went – “by faith.”

And notice how he lived – “in tents.” Now, that doesn’t mean too much until you read the rest: “For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Abraham reckoned himself, as did all these men and women of faith, as a “stranger and exile” on the earth (11.13).

Are you noticing something of a pattern yet? If not, here it is: God’s people look forward. That is, our focus is beyond today. Our treasure is in heaven (Matt. 6:20-21). Our hearts are already home. Our joy is before us. And it is that forward look toward tomorrow which enables the faithful life we seek to live today.

This is no way means that we are unconcerned about the here and now. In fact, it means quite the contrary. Again, the forward look enables the faithful life (1 Cor. 15:19). It is that “bright hope for tomorrow,” to borrow the words from a cherished old hymn, which provides “strength for today” (Great Is Thy Faithfulness, written by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923).

We are born here. We live here. We work here. We marry here. We raise children here. Sometimes we divorce here. We are tempted here. We sin here. We are forgiven here. By God’s grace, we start over again here. We die here. Here is where we are, but here is not all there is.

Everything we do here, we do in tents.

Here is not permanent. Here is temporary. And like Abraham, we can live faithfully and joyfully today with an eye toward tomorrow. If we do, then. . .

the turgid miasma of existence

will be swallowed up by

The Triumphant Mindset on Eternity.