Chapter 8 Day 6 Life is a Temporary Task

Day 6 Life is a Temporary Task Oh God!Show me how short my life is, how short my days are, how fleeting my days are. (Psalm 39:4) I'm just a passer-by in this world. (Psalm 119:19a) Being alive is a temporary task. The Bible is full of parables that teach us about the brevity and emptiness of human life on earth.Life is described as a drop of morning dew, a fast runner, a breath, and a wisp of smoke.The Bible says, "We have only been there since yesterday. . . . Our days on earth are like a shadow." To make good use of your life, you must not forget two facts: first, life is extremely short compared to eternity; second, this world is only a temporary residence, and you won't stay here for long, so don't be too attached.Ask God to help you learn to see life through His eyes.David prayed, "Lord, make me realize how short my time is here on earth, that I'm only here for a moment."

The Bible repeatedly uses the term "a traveler from another land" to describe the shortness of life in this world. This is not your permanent hometown, nor is it your final destination. You are just a passerby, visiting temporarily.The Bible uses words such as stranger, stranger, foreigner, stranger, visitor, traveller, etc. to describe the short life of human life. David said: "Since you call God your Father, you should live like sojourners in the world. .” In California, where I live, many people have immigrated from all over the world to work here while still retaining their citizenship in their home country.They are required to carry a residence permit (commonly called a "green card"), which allows them to work here even if they are not local citizens.Christians should also carry a spiritual green card to remind ourselves that our citizenship is in heaven, and God said that His children should think differently about life than non-believers, "They... But our citizenship is in heaven, and we are waiting for the Savior." True believers understand that there is a longer life beyond the few decades on earth.

Your identity is tied to eternity, and your home is heaven.When you grasp this truth, you will stop trying to earn the world.God bluntly warns of the dangers of those who live only for the present and subscribe to worldly values ​​and ways of life.When we flirt with worldly temptations, God calls it spiritual adultery.The Bible says, "You adulterers, don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" Suppose you are assigned to represent your country as an ambassador to an enemy country, you may need to learn the language of that country, adapt to some local culture and customs, have good manners and complete the mission.As an envoy, you can't isolate yourself in the enemy line, you have to keep in touch with them to accomplish your mission.

But if you are so comfortable there that you fall in love with that country and call it your home, your allegiances and mission will change, and your role as an envoy will be compromised.An envoy representing your motherland has become a traitor. The Bible says, "We are ambassadors for Christ." Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and his kingdom.They foolishly think that since they live in this world, this world is their home.They are wrong!The Bible clearly says: "My friend, this world is not your home. Don't be too self-satisfied, and don't lose your soul by indulging your own desires." God warns us not to be too attached to everything around us, because they are all temporary.The Bible tells us: "Whoever enjoys the world should learn not to miss it, because the world we see will soon pass away."

Compared with previous generations, life in most of the Western world today is more comfortable than ever. We are constantly entertained, entertained and catered to.Facing the colorful and charming media, it is indeed easy for people to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not the purpose of life. Only when we remember that life is an experiment, a trust, a temporary assignment, will the attraction of these things cease to dominate our lives.We are prepared for better things, "for what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal." "The world is not our final home", this fact also explains why Christians have to experience many difficulties, sorrows and rejections in this world.It also explains why some promises of God seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some situations seem unfair.Because it's not the end of the story!

In order for us not to be too attached to this world, God allows us to feel deep dissatisfaction in our lives, a longing that can never be satisfied in this life.We can't be completely happy here because it's not meant to be!This is not our ultimate home, we were made for something better. A fish would never like to live on land, because he was made to live in water. If you don't let the eagle spread its wings, he will not be satisfied.You will never be completely satisfied on earth because you were made for a greater purpose.You will have some joys in this life, but they will be nothing compared to what God has planned for you.

Knowing that "life is only a temporary task" will completely change your values.You will make decisions based on eternal values ​​rather than ephemeral values.As Lewis said: "If it is not eternal, it is useless." The Bible says: "We do not care about what we see, but what we do not see. For what we see is temporary, but what we do not see is eternal. of." If you think that God’s expectation of your life is the same as that of the world, that is, material wealth and success, you are making a fatal mistake.An abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and loyalty to God does not guarantee success in career or even in service.Therefore, never focus on temporary accolades.

Paul was an extremely faithful man, but ended up in prison; John the Baptist was also faithful, but ended up being beheaded.Thousands of faithful people, some have become martyrs, some have lost everything, and some are still unknown at the end of their lives, but this "end of life" is by no means the real end! In the eyes of God, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who are prosperous, rich and powerful, but those who believe that life is a temporary task, serve faithfully, and yearn for eternal rewards.When the Bible mentions these Heroes of the Kingdom of God, it says: "These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it from afar, greeted it with joy, and confessed that they were in the world They are strangers and strangers...but they long for a better homeland, which is in heaven. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, because He has prepared a city for them. "The time you are alive is not the whole of your life experience, you have to wait until you reach heaven, the second half of your experience will be revealed.Therefore, we must rely on faith to live a life as a pilgrim in the world.

There is a well-known story about a missionary who retired and returned to his country.He returned home with the President of the United States.Upon arrival, the shore was packed with cheering crowds, military bands, red carpets, bright flags and the media lined up to welcome the president.But the missionary disembarked quietly, no one noticed him at all.He felt self-pity and resentment, and he couldn't help complaining to God, but God gently reminded him: "My child, you haven't come home yet!" It doesn't take you two seconds to reach heaven and ask yourself out loud, "Why do I place so much importance on temporary things?" things?"

When life gets tough, when doubt overwhelms you, or when you question whether it's worth living for the Lord, remember that you're not home yet.When you die, you don't leave home, you come home.