I’ve got a road trip to take this morning so limited time for noodling and note-taking. Captured again by Paul’s divine jealousy in my 2Corinthians 11 reading. Thought I’d go back in the archives and pull out something to post. Came across a short post from May 2017, a few months after my wife had gone home to be with the Lord. Hit me like a ton of bricks. True then. True now. While there is so much to consume me in the present, how I need to never lose site of the presentation.

Here’s that short thought . . .

This morning I’m hovering over the first few verses of 2Corinthians 11. Over the years, it’s been a common place to pause after my daily readings and noodle on Paul’s “divine jealousy” for the somewhat dysfunctional church at Corinth. But this morning, given where my heads at, my thoughts are less about Paul’s intense desire that those He brought to Christ should determine to live with “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (11:3b), but that, ultimately, the goal of the betrothal is the presentation.

I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

(2Corinthians 11:2 ESV)

Paul was the matchmaker. These Corinthians the bride. And the end game, their presentation to Christ.

And as one betrothed yet not presented, I realize how easy it is to become attached to being engaged and how hard it is when others go on before us.

But as I savor Paul’s heart for the Corinthians, I’m reminded that it really is about going home. That the calling we seek to live out here and now is not the end game, but simply the road to be traveled. That, as good as sensing the presence of God by the Spirit of God is, it will pale in comparison to being in the presence of God and looking upon the face of His precious Son. That while we can, by faith, taste and see that the Lord is good today, there is coming a day when we will feast at His table.

Sue has been presented. I am still betrothed. Hers is to rejoice. Mine is to remain.

. . . to keep on keeping on.

By His grace . . . for His glory.