All Things Change
When I was a child, a new store came to town unlike any we had ever seen. It was called K-Mart, and everyone was amazed at everything they sold and how inexpensive it all was. They had “Blue Light Specials,” where employees would turn on portable blue light sirens in the store to let shoppers know about an unadvertised special on already low-priced items. K-Mart was soon well known, not only in my hometown, but all across the United States as stores opened everywhere. The building is still there today, however, K-Mart has been gone for many years. Almost all locations in the nation are closed. Things do not stay the same.
On the other end of the affluence scale, the most expensive, elegant restaurant in town during my childhood was a place called, “The Gold Nugget,” and it was reported to have the best food and most upscale atmosphere in town. Unlike K-Mart, I can only report what I heard about the Gold Nugget, as I never actually went inside. It cost far too much to take a kid like myself who would not appreciate a fine dining experience. I was happy with the chili and grilled cheese sandwich I probably had at home while my parents went. The Gold Nugget had a good run for several years, but even its building is no longer there. Things sure do change.
Lesson from COVID-19
One lesson from Covid-19 is that almost nothing is certain, at least not long-term. We have and will see businesses collapse and close because of this pandemic. Businesses that seemed to be growing, expanding, and part of the landscape for a long time, will simply never re-open. How quickly life has changed for the whole world, because of a virus we can not even see.
All of this points to a reality in the Scriptures we should memorize and let inform our lives. In 1 John 2:15-17, we are told, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
The One Eternal Thing
These verses clearly show the fragility of everything in the world. Absolutely nothing in this world is dependable. Nothing will last. Not K-Mart and not The Gold Nugget. Not Walmart, Apple, Microsoft, Chick-fil-a, Coca Cola, The Republican Party, The Democratic Party, or even our very nation. Kings and Kingdoms rise and fall. Philosophies, institutions, armies, and the very stars in the sky begin and they end. The world is passing away and so is everything in it.
So, do not love the world or the things in the world. They are not dependable and will not last. There is only One who is worthy of our devotion, adoration, worship, and trust. The angels and Saints sing of His worthiness. One day, all will know the truth. “Kings and their Kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that Name.” The Name of the Lion of Judah, The Lamb of God is worthy of our all. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. You can depend on Him.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.