by Kristen Narara
Waiting for my flight to leave, I stood at the newsstand and couldn’t help but notice the glossy covers of the first magazines of the new year:
A better body in 3 weeks!
Hotter hair in minutes!
Better intimacy tonight!
These promises screamed out at me, reverberated deep in my dissatisfied heart, and enticed me to fantasize about what 2013 would bring if I just had more (blank) now. If only I could lose a few more kilos… Oh, look at the clothes I could wear! If only we could get away together without any ‘interruptions’ more often, then my husband and I would be happier.
Making these comforts my goal in the new year is such a temptation for me. I’m so quick to crown my comfort as king and prioritize trivial improvements over God’s desire for my eternal good (1 Thess. 4:3). I’m tempted by that terrible lie– that there is a greater treasure than Jesus Christ.
Instead of laying aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, so that I can run with endurance the race God has set before me (Heb. 12:1), so often I prefer to throw off my eternal perspective. When I’m not looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of my faith (Heb. 12:2), then my vision for my goals are shortsighted. I look only to things within easy reach, rather than to trust the hand of the One who leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (though it may be through valleys and shadows of death) (Ps. 23:3).
This short-sightedness robs me of the joy of seeing God’s faithfulness to me in Christ. It leaves me desperate and anxious of the year that lies ahead.
Praise the Lord that Christ has died even for the short-sightedness of my eternal perspective, restored my soul, and now lives to give me new hope and new vision of an eternity with him!
As I consider the new year, I look forward to that Day when my desire to be with Christ and be like Christ is not a struggle against my sinful flesh, but as natural as the heavenly air I will be breathing.
I look forward to that Day when there are no more terrible lies but only perfect promises fulfilled. This year I want the eyes of faith wide open as I pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
ABOUT THE WRITER
Kristen was born in Papua New Guinea and grew up in Australia. Now Kristen lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband, Nigel (aka Captain Nigel), who is an airline pilot, and their gorgeous son Kingston (aka Sprout). Kristen is well known for her outstanding baking skills and hospitality, and can turn any stranger into her friend for life.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Tending to crown comfort as king? Me too sometimes, Kristen. I really appreciate how you describe the ultimate comfort of being with Jesus for eternity, and that in eternity it will be “as natural as the heavenly air I will be breathing.” So well put.
Tim
Beautifull..simply reminds each of us how d whole package of me is in Him, if only we could allow Him to unveil us, over time d true me will b revealed “just like Jesus”, yeh His character! The manual is His Word.
God Bless you Kristen, Nigel and little Warrior in Sprout.
Bill
Thanks, Bill! It’s so refreshing to rest in the knowledge that He is the one that has started this good work in me (to make me more like Christ) and that He is the one that will see it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Something I need to be reminded of over, and over, and over!!
This is a great, thoughtful post! Let’s make finding God and doing our utmost to serve Him our goal! So often we’re thinking of ourselves, how to be more fulfilled, just like you say…