I've been stressing recently about my research progress, and this morning I'm particularly sleepy. I've also been wrestling with my schedule, wondering if I'm spending too much time in "ministry and fellowship." While these scripture passages don't directly answer my questions, there are several encouraging chunks in these 2 Corinthians chapters:
3:5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. ... 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.4:5 You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. ... 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
It is clear that I should preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, never give up, and allow him to continually renew me every day, because I'm investing in eternity.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your encouraging Word that shows me the way to live. Thank you for never abandoning me; You are always faithful. Lord, please produce in me a reflection of your glory, that others may see your kindness and desire this wonderful life with you. I pray that you will give me clear guidance on what I need to plan in my weekly schedule; I want to do what you want me to do. Lord, I ask for your wisdom and your peace that passes all understanding. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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