Today, Paul Tripp was calling his readers to look at life in hope of eternity. As a teacher I have the hope of the next break even when teaching is particularly challenging. Vacation time is built into the schedule. I have random 3 day weekends like Columbus Day. Jesus, however, has given us a greater hope. Christ has given me the hope of eternal rest. One day I will truly have rest and the suffering of this life will be no more.

Our eternal outlook can really impact the way we interpret our reality. If I see my present suffering as momentary and productive in refining my sinful heart it seems meaningful. There is purpose in our pain and the pain is only temporary. God is doing something and one day it will only be a memory.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18