what we can't see

last sunday nite at church we had a brief testimony time. typically i’m not one to get up and say anything even in the tiny church in which i grew up (yes, they endured the perm, the sometimes scarry easter dresses, and the bandanna phase). rather, i find it much safer to expose my feelings in writing to a large group than in person. in the midst of the testimonies about GOD’s simple provision of salvation and fellowship, the LORD slammed me with: “more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!”--the very mantra He’s whispered in my soul since october! i heard Him say: “erin, are you willing to let me keep doing this work? my work? remember this was never about the things you wanted, but about us. this is more of the more and more people you asked for.” and the next thing i knew i found myself up on my feet speaking of the relentless pursuit of my Father through promised sanctification. oh what grace! more and more praise.

“every detail works to your advantage and to GOD’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! so we’re not giving up. how could we! even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where GOD is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. these hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. there’s far more here than meets the eye. the things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. but the things we can’t see now will last forever.” ii cor 4:15-18