Nothing Can Stop Us

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live 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 goods, 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

Everything in this world is temporary.

Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. There are good moments, and there are bad moments. There are things we regret and things we are proud of. There is love to be found and lost; a baby is born, and an older person dies. Everything in this life is temporary. Thinking about the fleeting nature of life might tempt us to fall into sorrow and depression. Focusing on the short number of years we have with those we love, watching our health fade as we grow older, realizing the joys of laughter with our friends will pass, and contemplating the reality of our own mortality can drag us into the pits of despair if we let it. But we have no reason to despair when we’ve been gifted salvation.

Everyone saved by Jesus has only reason to celebrate.

Those of us who follow Christ should see the temporary nature of this world not as a source of depression but as a source of joy. It means that every moment of heartache will not last. Every painful memory will eventually fade, wounds will heal, and sorrow will eventually be joy and peace. Paul urges the believers in his letter to the Corinthians to embrace that temporariness, to take joy in the passing of this world, for someday Heaven awaits. Someday, Christ will return and make right all that is wrong.

We must live with our eyes focused on the prize.

It can be difficult to see past our immediate unhappiness, but that is the nature of hope and faith. Faith is being sure about things we can’t be sure about. Faith is hope for things that we can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). Hope is faith, and faith is hope. Salvation through Jesus is a promise that will be kept. Salvation through Jesus means that our heartache and sorrow are coming to an end. A beautiful end. Paul reminds us that everything we see is temporary and that we should live for what is permanent. Our health, wealth, and love will all fade away, but the promise given to us by Jesus is permanent. This world is headed for the end, but we are headed for a new beginning.

Salvation through Jesus means that things can only get better.

Times can be rough, and the waters we sail will be choppy, but nothing in this world can take away the promise that awaits us. All we need to do is hold onto hope. We have to cling to our faith, pull it close, and clutch it tightly to our breasts. We can’t see the beautiful beginning awaiting us, but we can be sure that it’s there. Faith isn’t foolish waiting or empty longing. Faith is a guarantee. Whatever trials we’re facing or hardships dragging us down, let us all remember that nothing compares to the promise that awaits us (Romans 8:18). Salvation is the promise, and Jesus is the grantor. It is certain. It is permanent, and it is ours. Hold onto hope and never give up.

Nothing can stop us.