About Me

Andrew Schwab is a notable author, journalist and lead vocalist for the rock band Project 86. He has written for magazine publications including: Relevant, AP, CCM and HM. He is a published author with 4 available books, including his latest FAME IS INFAMY, available now on the store button above!

Daily Reflections – 10/24/2011

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

- 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

When I stop and think about it, I spend a good deal of time throughout my day in a state of distraction from one undeniable fact: one day my life is going to end. I realize I do this for several reasons.

First, I have a natural tendency to want to pretend that heaven is possible here on earth. So, I store up physical treasures like HD televisions and iPads and sweet BBQs, as well as non-physical treasures like Lake Tahoe snowboarding adventures and Pacific Ocean fishing trip memories.

Second, I have a natural proclivity to lay up anchor here, to think this place is my home. So, I cling to things I do not want to ever let go of—like my youth and my health and my dog. These are things of great value, but just like my life in this place, they are not permanent, or at least they will not exist in their present state for me beyond my stay on earth.

Third, sometimes I have doubts. I think to myself, What if all this God business is just a made up story and there is nothing waiting for me on the other side? What if when you die, that’s it, your body melts into the dirt and your mind just shuts off like a dead 9-volt and you are forgotten?

But when I read scripture like the passage above it defies my natural tendencies and doubts. I am reminded that this life is not my home, that though HDTVs and snowboarding trips and dogs (in no particular order) are great, they pale in comparison to what lies ahead. Or at least, I know by faith that though I cannot see what is ahead, I can trust in God’s character; I know because of all he has done for me in the past that he will not sell me short in eternity.

I will have a new life and a new body and a new home waiting for me that is so superior to what I have now that I cannot even fathom it. It will be like moving from a cheap one-bedroom studio in downtown Compton, Los Angeles, to my own castle in the Swiss Alps.

This is why we read Scripture—to be reminded of the things that we so naturally forget. So, do you have a passage to post below that will remind us of other things we may be forgetting?

October 24, 2011 · Other · 15 Comments

  • Ian Swaby

    1 Timothy 6:17 – 19.   17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor
    to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their
    hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19
    In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
    foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life
    that is truly life.

  • Ian Swaby

    1 Timothy 6:17 – 19.   17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor
    to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their
    hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19
    In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
    foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life
    that is truly life.

  • C. Stucky

    Thank you for that amazing reminder. I actually told of one my Youth Group kids this morning to have a kingdom mindset instead of an earthly mindset. The funny thing is that when I said it, it wasn’t my own words I was speaking, God was speaking to me, and through me at the same time. Like what I said was meant more for me than the young person I was talking to. What an amazing God we serve.

  • C. Stucky

    Thank you for that amazing reminder. I actually told of one my Youth Group kids this morning to have a kingdom mindset instead of an earthly mindset. The funny thing is that when I said it, it wasn’t my own words I was speaking, God was speaking to me, and through me at the same time. Like what I said was meant more for me than the young person I was talking to. What an amazing God we serve.

  • Catherine

    Thank you for what you do! God has blessed you with an amazing gift to reach out to people! This is such a great reminder that this word is where we live but it’s not our home.

  • Gatesofgold

    God said that He would be coming back, and I think it is likely that he will do so in our life times. If you do get worried about God’s existence, look at prophecy. Didn’t He say Israel would be a nation again? Hasn’t Israel been brought back as a nation? How many other prophecies are there out there that can be verified? Really, with how quickly the world seems to be spiraling into sin and chaos, will it be that much longer before we start hearing the trumpets? Every knee WILL bow, comes the day of Jesus’ return, and we can either bow because it is our joy or we can bow because even like hardened rocks, we will give Him glory.

  • http://wontturnback.wordpress.com/ Tanner Y.

    I was just reminded of this verse today.  I’ve been going through a major struggle in the past week as I am forced to let go of something that I’ve held dear. This verse helps me remember that even though I don’t have a clue what’s going on, I can be confident in God.

  • Jared D.

    “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in
    God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4  Too often we forget that God is on our side and is with us everywhere.  We just need to remember that He is with us and that we need not be afraid and to just trust Him.

  • M.Schmidt

    This is the substance of our faith – learning how to die. Dying to self and living for Christ. We would do well to think about what that truly means. To let it inform the ways and means of how we live out our lives and our faith. Jesus teaches us to pray for heaven infiltrating earth.  (Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven). Not an escapism, waiting to get to heaven when we die, but to be His ambassadors here and now, bringing the good news of forgiveness, redemption and resurrection.  What is God’s will? To take care of the poor, oppressed and marginalized. To see justice played out and all things set right (Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain – Isaiah 40:4). To work out redemption in all of creation.
    I have a tendency to white-knuckle grip memories (the ‘good old days’), ‘things,’ and experiences.  My modern day Baal worship is the idolatry of security.  Do I really trust that God will take care of my every need, or do I place my trust in a paycheck?  On my worst day, I am a black hole of self absorption.When I read Jesus say the following, it strikes terror to my very core – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.’” (Matthew 7:21-23).  Then I’m reminded of other things He said (Matthew 19:21, Luke 12:33) and wonder if I’m really following His lead.  Because if I really believe He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, then I will live His Way, with His Truth and with His Life. And His life isn’t grabbing for things, manipulating people for personal gain, or trying to be the best or first. He associated with the poor and lowly.  He died a terrible death, giving of Himself for the world.  And He lives showing us another way to live.  And so, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” – Psalm 29:2

  • Wishin’

    Love it. Swiss Alps. Thanks for the encouragement Schwab.

  • Liamdonovan

    “Death is only a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our sight”

    Truth be told… I almost hope that when I die, I do just shut off and there is no afterlife. No matter how hard I try to do good in this world I am flawed and will fail. We all know that if there is a heaven we don’t deserve it, so it would be a relieved stress for me if I just die – instead of finding myself in that hot place in the ground.

    Well, God can forgive everything, right?

  • Butneverdestroyed

    I’ve felt very drawn to Ecclesiastes lately in my reading.  It was written by the son of King David and dissects his attempts to understand what is most important and meaningful in life.  It’s incredibly challenging and, transcending the different versions I’ve read this part of the bible in, the voice of the author is very human and easy to empathize with.  Obviously, we could draw a completely different message from the scripture if we re-read it six months later, but  what I’ve drawn from it most recently is the importance of remembering that all you’re taking with you from this world is your soul.

  • Butneverdestroyed

    If men were actually capable of living sinless lives on their own, they wouldn’t need Jesus.  God’s not expecting you to be perfect.  He wouldn’t have sent his son if he did.  The Sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate expression of “I know you’re a sinner, and I love you any way, some come to me.”  He knows we are inherently sinners and he’s willing to let it slide so long as we admit that we can’t be sinless on our own and submit ourselves to the mercy of Jesus Christ.

    I understand and have experienced the same feelings you do.  Hell is terrifying to me.  What I’ve come to terms with is the fact that a lot of my fear is a lie from the devil.  God hasn’t given us spirits of fear but of power and love and sound minds. When you feel that nagging ache that wants to tell you you’re not going to make it into heaven, that’s the deceiver.  Submit your thoughts to God right then; immerse yourself in the Word or just say Jesus’s name over and over until the feeling passes.  It WILL pass if you flee to God’s word and Jesus’s name because the devil and all his servants cannot exist in the presence of the perfect truth, love and light of our terrifying Father Protector. 

    I love you, my Christian sibling.  My heart goes out to your struggles.  I have remind myself every morning that each new breath as a Christian is a fresh start.

  • Chuck

    Hebrews 2;9, but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, He was crowned with glory & honor that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 
    I’d say in the course of day where we can typically average five thousand decisions, I need the pain in this life to drive to me to see Jesus. Not because I’m a good guy or because I have good intentions, more often than not, pain is the least fair weather of all my friends in that I can always count on him to get me to see the most important person in this life and throughout all eternity.

  • Vitor Leite

    Pretty much often I also ask myself if this God thing is just a nonsense to manipulate me. And being a headbanger sometimes make it worse, because although some friends respect my opinions and faith, most of them just keep bragging about being atheist and being able to live without “the so called God”. Once a friend quoted: “I can’t believe that, in 21st century, there are still people who believe in God” (obsolete, we’re so obsolete). Hopefully I could turn this around arguing that believe in God is as ‘non-21st-century-ish’ as don’t believe at all – no one can prove either side, so no one can take any decision, but only choose what brings you peace. After all, that’s what keeps my faith.

    I also wrote a little text about it. Unfortunately, it’s in Portuguese, but here it is, anyways. If I find some time, I’ll translate it. http://vitorluisleite.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/seculo-xxi-a-era-do-cientificamente-comprovado/