July 18, 2021 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Pastor Eman Garcera

Art by Sam Yang (@samdoesarts)

Stress, it’s a normal part of life. Seemingly inescapable, whether it’s emotional, physical, or mental -- stress affects us all. Now, I don’t know the kind of stresses you’re facing today, whether it be in your relationships, financially, or even just personal stresses going on internally -- but I wanted to draw your attention, to eternity.

Eternity can either confuse you, excite you, or stress you out even more. And that mostly depends on your view of what happens after death. Now, to my uncertain readers, place your trust in Jesus. As you experience Him, you will come to know His great worth and His promises for you. A better life, a better future, and the best person to have in one’s life, Jesus. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith! (Heb 12:2) To my already believing believers, what a time to be alive! The things we have experienced and seen, even the way our world is progressing and moving forward, to put it bluntly, makes it difficult for some to keep the faith. But do not be stressed, be faithful and believe! Great things await those who love the Lord! (1 Cor 2:9) But we have work to do on earth while we await for eternity. Paul encourages Timothy (and us also) in this way:

“2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
(2 Timothy 4:2-5)

Church, before we stress out with what’s to come, let’s look towards eternity -- let it frame our perspectives. I hope and pray that it encourages us to endure hardships and press forward. Not simply because rewards, rest, and rejoicing are coming, but more than anything else, there we will finally be, with our merciful, gracious, and loving Saviour for all time, always.

To God be the glory!