toilet Most of you who know me, know that I have been plagued with plumbing problems.  Our house was flooded twice from plumbing issues.  As a result, the down stair ceiling fell in and flooded our den, garage and laundry room. (Read Count it all Joy….)

We finally got everything repaired and….. last night I discovered that one of my boys flushed something, lets just say, that should not and cannot go down the pipes.  I have spent most of today trying to snake our drain lines. What happened to me is to nasty to describe.  Let’s just say my day was CRAP!  If this word offends you then you have no idea what I’ve experienced today.

Last Sunday I talked about the kind of life that Jesus offers to us.  It’s a life that rises above the issues of this world.  It’s not a life without issues.  It’s a life not ruled, controlled or defined by our issues.

The Apostle Paul described his life in Christ and the issues he faced. 

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”   2 Corinthians 4:8-11 (KJV)

How do we do this?  How do we rise above the CRAP in our lives?

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal;  but the things which are not seen are eternal.”   2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)

Paul says our afflictions are light and momentary.  You may say at this point “Paul, has no idea what I’m going through.”  You may feel like it has been a lifetime of difficulty. 

However, this is Paul’s point.  It’s about perspective.  Meaning, your perspective through the eyes of the flesh or God’s through eye of faith.  Every difficulty is heavy to us, but to God it’s light.  Our afflictions can seem to never end, but to God they are temporary in view of eternal life with Him.  It’s all about where you are looking.

Verse 18 gives us the key to living the life of Christ that rises above the CRAP.  It says look at the things which are not seen, the eternal things.  When our eyes are in the right place the rest of us will follow: our mind, our mouth (words), and our actions.  When we focus on the CRAP, it is magnified.  When we look at Jesus and the things of the Kingdom of God, He is magnified and faith increases.  When we focus on our difficulties we cause them to seem insurmountable and all encompassing.  When we do this we rob God of glory through us. (look at v.15)

So are you going to wallow in your CRAP or rise above it where you experience the kingdom of God and the life of Jesus?