Temporary
I love Sharpie markers, they have such a cool feel to them and they are permanent for the most part. You can really scrub and the mark will eventually come off of your skin. I see materials that have been around for years and years and I don’t think of them as temporary. After seeing the destruction of tornado’s, hurricanes and flooding, I realize that there isn’t much here on earth that is permanent. The things that seem permanent are really still temporary – especially in light of eternity.
Wealth is also one of those things that can often be temporary. No homeowner expects to loose his job after they just bought a new home. Jobs and financial security are pretty temporary. In Revelation the city of Babylon, which represents evil behavior and debauchery is about to be revealed as temporary. Check this out…
“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ 20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” (Revelation 18:17b-20 NIV)
There are three times in this chapter when John states that the great city of Babylon was brought to ruin in one hour! This earth and all that I see and touch here is temporary. My faith journey with the Lord and the soul of mankind are pretty much the ONLY permanent things here on earth. I need to see all the stuff I own or manage as simply stuff that is temporary. It could be gone in an hour. I should be aware of just how temporary everything is. I should actually treat all these things as temporary. The eternal things are the most important.
Pressing On! Dwayne