Eternal Treasure

 

"Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."  I John 2:15-17

 

So much of what we strive for are things that are destined to perish or fade.  We work toward physical beauty, but aging works against us.  We seek money, but it takes wing and flies away.  We work to attain gizmos and gadgets  which are out-dated within the year.  It makes me want to say with the Wise Solomon, "Meaningless, meaningless... everything is meaningless."

But that is not eternally true.  Things that we do for the Kingdom of God are immortal.  The souls we lead to Jesus, the people we encourage, the legacy we leave with our children are all things  that will outlive our time in the flesh.  Sometimes we feel that our lives are not having an impact, but some of the quiet things we do are a sacrifice pleasing to the Lord, having more impact than we will know this side of heaven.  I believe some of the most rewarded people in heaven will not necessarily be worldwide evangelists, but rather prayer warriors covering missionaries in prayer, or humble saints encouraging single moms or feeding widows.

God blesses his children while they are living their lives on this earth.  But the greater blessings await us in heaven where we will live with our beloved Savior forevermore.  When Johnny and I announced our engagement, my godly grandfather gave us some sage advice.  He said, "Don't worry about laying up treasure in this life, but lay up treasure in heaven."  That humble saint continued to witness to his neighbors even after Alzheimer's disease begin to altar his mind and lifestyle.  He never had much in the way of wealth of this world, rather, he lived modestly.  But I am convinced that he is living in opulence in the home of his Heavenly Father.  Enjoying abundance with the One he loved to his dying day and through eternity.

Dear Lord, help me to be eternally focused rather than in the present.  Help me to live a life that matters to you, rather than one that brings me momentary pleasure.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri