Tin Punched Life
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
I was fascinated with the tin-punched candle holder. It wasn’t that it was especially beautiful itself, but the light that came from the candle within bursting through the punched holes made an intriguing design on the table and wall. It was actually the pattern on the wall that caught my attention; not the little holder.
It brings to mind the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
This life as a follower of Jesus is not about me but the treasure of Jesus Christ that dwells within. It’s the troubles of life--the pain and suffering--that literally pokes holes in my tin. The enemy’s impossible intent is to snuff out this glorious light, but God’s intent is to display His glory through a beautiful design that we have yet to see.
Paul knew this to be correct and lived the power of this truth. In this same chapter he acknowledged the tin punches in his life. He said, “Yes, we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
Punched, Pressed, Poked… but it was accomplishing something. Paul goes on to say that “these light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
It doesn’t personally feel so light and momentary, but when we look at the prison life that Paul was writing from, we should thank God. We do well to lift our eyes and praise Him in the midst of it all. A glorious design is marking our lives through which His glory will shine. Only as we turn our hearts to praise will we lift our eyes to see the design through which He shows Himself through our hole punched lives. There it is… on the wall, the table, the world around us drawing attention to Him and His Kingdom.
Oh, fellow light bearer, let’s lift our eyes from what we see to what is unseen. May His light shine through in magnificent ways. Don’t let doubt, fear, anger, veil this light, poking holes in your faith. Praise Him that His mark is on your life. As a desperate world looks on may they be drawn to the Treasure.
“Praise Him in the season that you are in,
for it bears the mark of His hold on you.
When life gets a hold of you, tempting you to forget,
lift your eyes, lift your heart, lift your hands and Praise Him.”
- Davy Flowers (Praise Him, Shane and Shane)