When we look at our body it is hard to see how we can be new again, but Karlton encourages us to imagine it.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Many years ago I took an auto body repair class in a vocational school. People would bring in the most rusted, beat up, ugly cars you had ever seen, hoping we would make them look like new again. And after much work, applying hammers, torches, sanders, every tool at our disposal, we made those ugly old cars beautiful again.
I wish people were as easy to fix. I wish I was as easy to make new again as those old cars, but I am not. We are wearing out and wearing down by age and disability. As much as we might like to be “new” again we are not, and we will not be this side of heaven.
Nevertheless, we will be made new again one day, and often it is that hope in the future than can get us past the mirror today. Knowing that Jesus has something far greater in store for us than our very best here on earth is encouraging.
It was an amazing thing to see those old cars drive into the shop, covered with more rust than paint, looking quite hopeless. But then, to see those same cars go back out the door of the shop after being painted and polished, looking as good or better than they ever had, that was a great experience. Yet a far greater experience is coming when we go back out the door of that heavenly shop, looking better than we ever did in this life.
You may have lost your looks, your shape, your youth to life and its vicissitudes. What life has robbed you of, or perhaps never gave you to begin with, Jesus has waiting for you on the other side of the door. We must be patient, perhaps deal with some rust and flaking paint, but better things are coming to those who wait patiently for the Lord.
Prayer: Dear Lord, these bodies drag us down, humiliate, and frustrate us. Help us to be patient for that new body awaiting us in heaven. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He can hardly wait for his new body in heaven.
Do you feel like you need body work? Do you know that if you trust in Jesus there is a new body awaiting you?
When we look at our bodies or even our life as a whole, it is easy to see the rust, the scrapes, the huge dents that change the shape of our entire life. But Jesus sees us as glorious! He has already sacrificed it all so you can have His gift of everlasting life. This is an incredible song, “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again”
with Phillips, Craig & Dean, that I hope blesses you. -Lisa
You can read about how this song came to be. It is an amazing story about an open heart surgery miracle and gave me goosebumps! -Lisa
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