The weight of glory overshadows the weight of suffering in this world.

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. In the previous verse, Paul told them that the glory of God is their inheritance. if they suffer with Him. So in this verse, he compares the suffering with the glory to be revealed when they get their inheritance. There’s no comparison. Loving in this world with Jesus will have a cost. We will suffer for His name sake. In Jesus’ last words to His disciples, He basically told them to embrace suffering. He said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). And “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me” (John 16:2-3). And again, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul obviously got the message. If you’ve read Acts, then you know that Paul endured much suffering in “this present time.” By that, I think he was referring to his journey in this world. When Paul considered the glory that is to be revealed to us when Jesus returns, the present suffering isn’t even a blip on the radar. It’s like looking at a flashlight beam in a dark room, and then someone turns on the light. The beam disappears. It’s overcome by the greater light. So it will be when Jesus is revealed in His glory—and us with Him! Another comparison that you women will relate to is the suffering of labor compared to the birth of your child. In a matter of seconds or minutes (I’m a guy, what do I know?) the pain is forgotten because of the glorious joy of the fruit of your labor. So it will be, wrote Paul, when Jesus is revealed. So what encouragement can we draw from this verse to spur us on to love with Jesus? Embrace whatever the cost necessary for God to receive glory on that day as you love. Remember this definition of God’s love: It is the sustained direction of the will toward the highest good of another, no matter what the cost. That describes God’s love for us revealed in Christ, as well as the love of Christ we have residing in our mortal bodies by the Holy Spirit. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com