The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. The harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. — J. I. Packer

When I was even younger than I am now, I thought this was powerful. With a few more miles and dents these days, Packer’s sentiment seems to be a touchstone.

Not unlike another saint who’s gone on before us long ago wrote,

We’re not giving up. How could we!

Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.

There’s far more here than meets the eye.

The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2nd Corinthians 4:16-18)

Yup.

Amen?