Devotionals

Not just for now

by Susan Barnes 
09/06/15
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"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:19

When I first experienced God's love and forgiveness I didn't understand why Paul would say if it is only for this life we have hope in Christ we are to be pitied. Becoming a Christian had changed my life from a depressed teenager to someone who felt loved and understood. Furthermore I had made new friends at my local church. Life had never been better. I was so happy after becoming a Christian, I thought what does it matter if it's only for this life? However as an adult I realize being a Christian involves many sacrifices. It also involves wresting with difficult questions and the most difficult of all - if God is all loving and all powerful why do bad things happen to good people?

Scripture provides several partial answers (John 9:3; Ephesians 3:10-13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) but I don't find these completely satisfying. The problem is we stand too close to the action and can't stand far enough back to take in the full panorama of God's purposes. We see things only in the short term and it won't be until we get to heaven that we will be able to see the long term plans of God. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 we read, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully." The tragedies and injustices in the world only make sense from the perceptive of heaven.