“These three will endure – faith, hope and love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NILT
“Things of quality endure; they grow in value. Build your life on those.”
My thoughts today are about “things that endure.”
Too man things today are made to be disposable. That makes them convenient. When you are through with them, you simply throw them away. That is also reflected in lifestyles. Relationships are transient, easily replaced by others. Marriages are rarely life-long now, only as long as convenient and mutually satisfying. Jobs and paychecks replace careers. Houses are for trading up rather than a place to raise a family. Moving on is often chosen over staying put.
We seem not to expect things to be built to last, not even meant to do so; they serve their purpose and are then dispensable. Often it is just a matter of cost or time. Plastic costs less than metal, but wears out or breaks more easily. Furniture made of solid wood is more expensive than cheap veneer, yet looks just as good (at least for a while) but is cheaper to make and costs less to buy – and of course, will not last as long.
Most people today prefer new rather than old. Ever wonder why quality antiques cost so much? It’s simple. They were better built and endured the wear and tear of time. Our home is beautifully graced by a couple of lovely European buffets from the 1800’s. They show their age a little, but also show the art and skill of the craftsmen who made them. Things of quality endure; they grow in value.
I want my life and faith to be like that, enduring disappointments and difficulties and growing in eternal value. I want your life to be like that too. Here’s what I have learned about everyday life. Endurance and value have everything to do with how you choose to build your life. “Each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-16 NIV.
Jesus told the story of two homebuilders. They both began with a similar vision and expense. They seem to have invested similar time and effort. They both experienced common but unfortunate circumstances. Their results were tragically different. One house endured; the other collapsed. The difference? One was built to last on a foundation that would last; the other was built on things that shift and change. Read Matthew 7:24-27 NLT. What are you trusting to endure?
A lot of things you may feel important right now in the routines of everyday life might not seem so valuable in the perspective of eternity. Too many things are all about right now; eternity is forever. Why not build your life upon real things that are truly indispensable – things that endure and grow more valued?
The surrounding context of today’s verse is about good things which are replaced by better things – things which are temporary that will be replaced by things more permanent. Here is Paul’s conclusion: “There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT. Now that is where you can build a life that lasts.
My prayer for you today is: cherish what is irreplaceable therefore indispensable.