The splendid outcome
What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
Mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8:4
Read 2 Timothy 4:5—8
I may not spend much of my time thinking about the great conclusion to my life. Present concerns, present day matters press on me. By far the longest part of my life, the matter of eternity, may rarely intrude into my thoughts. But when I read my Bible, as I do tonight, I cannot keep this perspective out, so I had better prepare for sleep with more than tomorrow in mind. Since the resurrection of Jesus, since he has been declared Lord and Judge of heaven and earth, of time and history, I would be suppressing the word of God if I did not think about the ultimate direction of my life and of all life. In Christ I am headed for a crown. For glory. I shall be splendid. I am to long for him. I am in the company of those who long for his appearing.
How good it is, my God and Father; how gracious, my God and Saviour, God the true man; God the Spirit, that my life is being shaped and prepared for a conclusion fit for my life’s maker. You have made me to be this ornament to yourself. You have justified me, set me apart, sanctified me, in order to bring your own work to a fitting conclusion. You will glorify me. I take it that there are aspects of me and things about me that reflect you and refract your image and likeness, and that they are all to be brought out as the completion of your workmanship. I really think, this night, that you are inviting me to be rather excited about who, in the outcome, I am really being prepared to be.