So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
For a man in middle age, these are encouraging words. My body has recontoured. I look back at pictures of me in my 20's and I realize I won't be like that any more. My outer self is going the way of all flesh. The inevitable fight against age and gravity is impossible to win. Hollywood stars spend millions on surgery and personal training to keep up appearances. I am not sure that if I had the means I would indulge such luxury. After all, my eternal soul is really ageless.
That is the difficulty. I feel like I can do so much. I feel youthful even if my body says differently. A checkup last week with the doctor confirmed that osteoarthritis is still setting in. Pain in my shoulder and neck is probably to be expected for the rest of my life. For the first time the doctor suggested shots for the pain if it persists. More wasting away.
But in Christ there is a dynamic to me that overcomes the drag of this outer shell's diminishing abilities. I am renewed in the Lord daily. His Word, His people, His work rejuvenates me. And I rejoice in this. I find hope in the reality that my feelings will not change despite what happens to my body.
No pill could provide this. No amount of exercise, weight loss, medication, nutrition or personal training can induce what the Spirit of God and the Word of God give to me. And for that reason I will not lose heart.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
For a man in middle age, these are encouraging words. My body has recontoured. I look back at pictures of me in my 20's and I realize I won't be like that any more. My outer self is going the way of all flesh. The inevitable fight against age and gravity is impossible to win. Hollywood stars spend millions on surgery and personal training to keep up appearances. I am not sure that if I had the means I would indulge such luxury. After all, my eternal soul is really ageless.
That is the difficulty. I feel like I can do so much. I feel youthful even if my body says differently. A checkup last week with the doctor confirmed that osteoarthritis is still setting in. Pain in my shoulder and neck is probably to be expected for the rest of my life. For the first time the doctor suggested shots for the pain if it persists. More wasting away.
But in Christ there is a dynamic to me that overcomes the drag of this outer shell's diminishing abilities. I am renewed in the Lord daily. His Word, His people, His work rejuvenates me. And I rejoice in this. I find hope in the reality that my feelings will not change despite what happens to my body.
No pill could provide this. No amount of exercise, weight loss, medication, nutrition or personal training can induce what the Spirit of God and the Word of God give to me. And for that reason I will not lose heart.
