Shelf Life

"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."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I keep thinking about something that happened this week. I joined a dear friend of mine for lunch. We meet each week, and bring our own meal. We spend time sharing our lives and praying together. It's time I look forward to and am always blessed by our time in fellowship.

On this particular day, my friend opened up her yogurt container to find that even though it had been sealed, mold had formed inside. From the outside, it appeared to be fine, but the inside was spoiled.

I realize the verse written above is actually the opposite of what happened, but I still can't help but think of the parallel between these matters. Sometimes we appear like nothing is wrong on the outside, because people can't see how much we are hurting on the inside. This verse mentions us wasting away on the outside, referring to our physical bodies. We waste away, but God is able to renew us day by day.

So my question for you, is how is your shelf life? Are you a pretty package on the outside that is concealing all the hurts and struggles you are facing? Is bitterness and hurt festering inside? Or are you choosing to be renewed each day, taking your problems to God and asking for his help? I pray we can lengthen our shelf life by keeping short accounts, and choosing to be in right relationship with God.