A Small and Passing Thing

Do I believe that?

Guess what? I sit in a classroom each day surrounded by dozens of Papua New Guinean Bible translators who believe this with all their hearts and whose lives are different because of it. They see darkness. They see disunity. They see conflict and dissension but guess what else they see? They see Jesus. They have accepted Jesus and they have seen Him make a world of difference in their lives. Because of this difference, they experience unity, combat conflict and dissension with peace and are fired up to tell others of this incredible giver of peace. This lover of our souls who doesn’t erase pain, heartache or darkness from our lives but who gives us a way to give Him glory in the midst of it while He makes His presence known to us more deeply and to those around us who haven’t heard of Him yet. 

Every single bit of darkness gives way to His great light through the hearts God has changed and more hearts are changed, more perspectives altered, more peace given, more light shown, more Jesus. More Jesus.

This astounds me. It astounds me that I could live my life, either here or in British Columbia, without being as completely changed as are the beautiful Christ followers I have met here in Papua New Guinea.

It astounds me that I could ever be disheartened by the presence of darkness in my life as if somehow I didn’t know what a small and passing thing is in light of the God I serve.

Would you pray for these beautiful lovers of Christ here in Papua New Guinea? Would you pray that their light never grows dim but radiates more and more of our Heavenly Father to their families, their friends, their villages and neighbours?

And would you pray for us? For those sent here to serve in different capacities. Would you pray that we would live and love like those who know the relative insignificance of dark and troublesome times. That we would speak and act and think like those who believe in the transformative power of a God who captivates hearts, has conquered the darkness and who offers us a light, a peace and a purpose that is far from small and passing. A God who offers us the most infinite and steadfast inheritance. A God who offers us more Jesus. That’s it. 

Troubles exist but fade. Death loses. Fear loses. Darkness loses. Christ wins and we win because we know Him. Others win because they see Him in us. We live our imperfect, messy and trouble filled lives and those small and passing troubles act in the larger picture of eternity to point others to the source of our joy. 

We fade. Our circumstances fade. Christ is revealed.

Lives change.

Nations change.

​Darkness loses because it never had a chance. Let’s see what happens when we live like this is true.