Everything is Temporary

I decided to re-read the entire Bible during 2016. The last time I read it from cover to cover was many years ago. Each time I undertake this goal, I am amazed at the new things God reveals. This time around, I found so many treasures in the book of Ecclesiastes. The entire book provides such wisdom as it reminds me that everything in my world is temporary. An excerpt from the first chapter is below:

Ecclesiastes 1: 3 What do people gain from all their labors

at which they toil under the sun?

4 Generations come and generations go,

but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises and the sun sets,

and hurries back to where it rises.

6 The wind blows to the south

and turns to the north;

round and round it goes,

ever returning on its course.

7 All streams flow into the sea,

yet the sea is never full.

The sentiment in these verses is both scary and exciting at the same time. It thrills me to realize my troubles and problems of this world are only temporary. Sorrow, illness, strife and death are not forever. However, it disturbs me to think how everything I work for in this life is also temporary. Everything I own or accumulate will disappear. I ponder my life and my world after reading this book of the Bible. It sobers me as I question the purpose of my time on this planet.

Just as the heaviness of a slight depression settles over my spirit, I continue to read on in my Bible. I soon find comfort in the words of Matthew 6:20 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” My countenance brightens, as I comprehend my treasures stored in heaven for all eternity. My family who passed on before me is waiting for me in heaven. The reward of my work with orphans is waiting for me. The rewards of my faithfulness in Christ await me. I soon find myself recalling another memorized verse found in 2 Corinthians 4:18 “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.”

What are your treasures? Are all your hopes built up on temporary things that will fade away and disappear along with you? Or are your treasures safe in heaven, waiting for you to claim them again one day? Everything in my world is temporary so I need to spend my time focusing on things that will make an eternal difference. Where will you focus your efforts?

Some of my treasure are pictured below: