Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday, December 21, 2 Corinthians 5:4-9

"For while we are still in this tent, we groan being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

I had wondered why it was so important for me to re-memorize this chapter during this Christmas and Thanksgiving season, but the more I contemplate these verses, I see how it fits in my season of life more than any other Scripture.

When you reach my age, you really see the tears and "threadbare-ness" of this old body, and your focus narrows toward the Light ahead. The "Longing" that I have sensed for so many years is nearer to its reality. As Pilgrim, I see the "Celestial City" more clearly than the "City of Destruction" that I long ago left behind. And its brightness overwhelms any darkness that may try to claw its fingers around me.

This world has literally flipped morally and spiritually in my generation. What was once evil many are calling good, and what once was good many are calling evil. Earlier in my life it was pretty isolated, but now it has become worldwide. And it is wearying if you happen to look back.

And that's what it is, looking back. For when I look forward, as a believer in Jesus I see Light. I don't care about this world. I look ahead, and as a moth to a flame, move toward the Light.

I look near me, and contemplate the large family with which the Lord has blessed me. I see many saved, and some lost. The lost in the family have heard the Gospel, yet still are holding to their sin instead of Christ. I am praying with confidence and hope that the Holy Spirit would touch them as He's touched so many in our family already.

And my part is to reflect Him, so hopefully, when they see me, they get glimpses of the One who took a lowly wretch like me and brought me into His loving arms. All else fades in comparison. All works of the flesh will be "burned" away by the eyes of the Holy One when I see Him, and the works of gold will stand before Him, works that He wrought in me during this sojourn through this dark world.

And then I will stand pure before Him, and enter His gates with thanksgiving. I am absolutely certain of that, not because of me, but because of Him. He paid my penalty, yet will give me rewards, as we will see next tomorrow. Rewards for simply loving Him.

When you receive gifts this Christmas, remember the greatest Gift, the Gift of Jesus, who gave His life that you might have real life. We at church will remember this great moment this morning, so we will leave it with the thought of the Great Gift of the Savior, and be able once again to share it with people who might, only during this season, listen.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

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