Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul is giving praise to God and reminding us that we have a living hope, even though we may not be able to see it in the immediate present circumstances of our life. It reminds me of the story of the little boy who heard the circus was coming to town. He had never seen the circus, but he had heard all about the lions and tigers, the elephants and the acrobats and clowns. So he saved every penny he could find; he ran errands and did odd jobs, and finally, the Saturday morning of the circus, he gathered every cent he had worked so hard to earn and went into town. As he approached the main street, he couldn't believe his eyes. A marching band was coming right down the center of the street, and behind them was the circus! There were lions and tigers and clowns in funny cars, hopping in and out and turning somersaults. There were elephants with beautiful ladies on their backs, and a man who was swallowing fire. He stood there dumbfounded. Here was the circus, right before his eyes. He turned to some older boys who were leaning up against the lamppost and said, "I can't believe I've just seen the circus. Who do I pay?" The older boys shot each other a crafty look and said, "Oh, you pay us." So the little boy gave them all his hard-
earned money and he went home, thinking he had seen the circus. In reality, he had only seen the parade. Paul reminds us that the last chapter is not yet written. Don't sell out for just a parade when the real joy is your goal.
-- Owen-Gemoets