Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian
woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was
confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the
fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day
and brought along another woman -- a person of great wealth. Since there was no
elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the
second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy
place!" Her friend replied, "It's better higher up." When they
arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, "Things look even worse
here." Again the reply, "It's better higher up." The two women
finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A
smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was
clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get
over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out,
"It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!" Without a moment's
hesitation the shut-in responded, "It's better higher up." She was
not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she
had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment.
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