Glancing Back While Pressing On

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul describes the paradoxical reality of the normal Christian life: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  At some point in time we can all identify with those words and they are especially pertinent as we sojourn ahead.  The same chapter also talks about great treasure being contained in mere jars of clay.  But Paul encourages us some more in verses 16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (NIV) We really are fragile earthen vessels but if Christ, the Hope of Glory, dwells in us, we can look back with tears co-mingled with smiles and press onward and upward in like manner.  We can lock arms, limp forward, and share Good News with anyone who'll listen even while we continue to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.  Each new morning we can collect, like manna, a fresh supply of mercies and ask for daily bread that will sustain us in doing our Father's will and accomplishing His work.  With all this in mind, let us soldier on together...