Listen

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Think

What did you get for Christmas this year that you are still treasuring? When many of us got that new iPad or perfect outfit from our favorite store, we were so happy! On that day, it seemed that nothing could have spoiled our happiness – not even our annoying younger brother or sister. But I can imagine by the time next Christmas rolls around, most of us will have trouble even naming the gifts we received the year before.

Why is this? Paul reminds us in this passage that the stuff that fills our lives – whether it be a possession or a relationship in our lives that we treasure above all others – will not be with us forever. Such a thought can be depressing, of course, but as Christians we are also filled with hope that what we see right now is not all there is. Our job is to spend our lives getting to know the One who will never pass away – Jesus, our Lord.

Elizabeth Evans Hagan

Pray

Lord God, remind me as I go about my day to focus my attention on what truly matters: not the stuff in my room, not who is dating who at school, and not what kind of car I want to drive one day, but spending time getting to know you, Jesus. Amen.

Go

As we work together with him we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2