“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (Matt. 6:20)
The street rods and motorcycles, the sexual encounters, the houses purchased and sold along with all the work done to them and the items placed in them. Acquaintances and relationships made, then lost, left or simply allowed to fade away, lessons learned, instructions followed, then applied, then useless to the next endeavor. Experiences attained, only to become nothing more than a memory, and that also fading away with time.
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” (Prov. 16:31)
Only the aged can fully understand the truth of the passing of time, of what moths and rust can do, and only those who have been born-again can truly understand that all of it, every single item, can be counted willingly as dung.
I could stop this letter right here, and those of you who can more easily see the sun setting in your life instead of it high overhead would fully comprehend the words written here. I offer these truths to you who will meet those who are either in the beginning of their walk with Christ, or perhaps not very far along the path yet, who still believe life is long and there is time to kill today. Not in their thoughts alone that they believe they may yet have decades of time before they are called home, but in what they desire to accumulate before that final day.
Will it be those items of the world that we who are aged understand full well will fade away or be removed with time, or those precious jewels that are spiritual in nature?
Teach them the truth of Colossians 3:2.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Cause them to understand the inestimable value of the words of our Savior.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
Help them to contemplate at length 1st Corinthians 2:9.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
The sunset hides behind it a sunrise that will never end, the darkness will give way to eternal light, where pleasures forevermore await us. Help them to understand that the loss of the things of this world has little to do with them being removed or not, it has everything to do with our attachment to them, the emotions we place upon them.
All things are made new in us who have been born-again, but it takes time to realize, and accept as truth, that which can be destroyed by moths and rust, and that which has eternal value.
I do not think I am wrong when I say this, but I do not believe anyone in heaven has ever said to someone else there, “Do you know what I miss about earth, about my life there?”
Every person on this planet has some form of a want, once those wants are achieved, they become part of the past, whether that item remains until their dying day is immaterial, the truth of Job 1:21 stands firm.
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
The passage of time, although in its perception of it by us may be modified, will exist with us throughout eternity, when something happens and then is no longer happening, time has passed.
Youthfulness moves with the bright sunshine, occasionally a dark cloud passes overhead, but joy comes in the morning. The aged who do not serve the Living God see a darkness approaching, and no matter how much they may attempt to disavow it, they fear that final day.
We who have attained, by the mercy and will of God, an aged eye see hope beyond compare, the labor is almost over, the work is almost done, and inexplicable eternal joy in His presence awaits us.
Teach the young these truths.
