Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. – James 4:14
People who know me well know that I love history. I’m super sentimental and nostalgic. I can spend hours in antique stores looking at “old lady” dishes, jewelry, and other trinkets. I go to museums and become mesmerized by the aged stuff.
Last year I got the chance to go to the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge. While a lot of it was cheesy and set up for tourists and family fun, it was also incredibly eye opening for me. The Titanic was supposed to be an unsinkable “ship of dreams” with beautiful china, wealthy people with beautiful dresses, and extravagant splendor unlike anything anyone had seen before. I myself had always been amazed at the beauty of it and when I thought of what became of it I was always saddened. What a waste! A beautiful vessel never to be seen again. So much lovely stuff just sitting on the ocean floor. I would watch the movie and cringe when I heard the dishes falling and breaking. I was heartbroken when I saw the beautiful grand staircase becoming flooded. I hated seeing the great ship break in half and begin sinking.
But then I went to the museum. I saw the list of names of those who perished. I saw pictures of children and heard stories of families ripped apart. I started remembering the precious souls that were lost in the tragedy.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I still find antiques lovely and fascinating. I still love to gaze at “old lady” things. I’m still blown away when I see something old and beautiful and think of how long it has been here and how much history it holds. I’m still saddened by the loss on the Titanic. That will probably never change. However, I do not desire to lay up my treasures on earth. I desire for my heart and my treasure to be in heaven where it belongs. Things of this world are fleeting. We are fleeting. Above my bed hangs a canvas with 1 Peter 1:24-25 written on it. The words “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
As humans, we get so wrapped up in the things of this world. School, family, friends, and so many other things all become top priorities. We put our trust and hope in people and things of this world. However, people and stuff, they’re fleeting. They too are vapors. They fade but the word of the Lord, our hope in Heaven, and our spirits will remain forever.
I know that I have to stop thinking of this world. When we go through trials and tribulations it is important to keep in mind that the love of our Father is all we need. If we will put our hope, our trust, and our treasures in Heaven, our hearts will be there as well.
Psalms 100:4-5 says to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Forever. God is forever and by putting on Christ, we can be, too.
Abbie Willingham
Comments are closed