This is Temporary Folks

The first thing I thought about when I saw this chapter was Mission Impossible. I have never seen the movie but have watched many of the old television episodes. I remember that they would play the tape recorder and then it would self-destruct. How cool is that? The assignment was always dangerous, but the audience always knew that it would be accepted and won. It was a temporary assignment and the good guys would complete the assignment with some intrigue and excitement along the way. So like our assignment here on earth. It is temporary and has so much intrigue and excitement along the way. The difference is we never know how long it will take to complete the assignment and what tools we need along the way.

I mean, think about it. We go through some difficult challenges in life, don't we? We also have some really good times. It is difficult sometimes to remember that we are only on this earth for a short time. We get caught up in this life and all it has to offer us, and there are many: money, fame, friends, position, etc. But as Christians, we must think differently. We cannot allow the "things" of this world to take the prime priority of our lives. Case and point:

I am a teacher and, to me, and apparently to the government, I make below the poverty level for my family of four. I know that is hard to imagine. My husband only works part-time. He is a full-time student working on his teaching certificate. He has looked for a full-time position but cannot seem to find anything here. I look at it as God's will for our family right now. To many people, teachers make a good salary and some do. At least those with a lot of experience. I am going into my third year of teaching and I have a masters plus 30 education. My salary is not much. My two teenage girls need clothes and extra "stuff". I could get worldly and caught up with making more money in order to meet all their needs. I could be bitter because they do not have what other teenagers have. But I cannot allow myself to get into this mind frame.

First, I must be a role model for my children. They must see that I rely on God for all our NEEDS. Having wants met is not the issue. If we are able to have a little extra, then great. But my concern should be spiritual not worldly. My goal is for my children to understand that the love of money and things is the root of all evil. Therefore, I must love God above all others. He will provide for me and them while molding us into His image. But, I digress... slightly.

I must look to heaven. When I look to the earth, I have a false sense of what is important. The world says I am to look to money, fame, and even friends for my happiness. That might be true, depending on your definition of happiness. But according to Mr. Warren, the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about and I am glad. Why? Happiness is so wishy-washy. We can be happy one day and totally distraught another. I want that joy that is available through Christ at all times. the kind that Paul talked about. The "Be joyful in all things" kinda joy. No matter what is going on, I can still be joyful. Even when my mom died last summer, I could still have that joy in my heart knowing that God was with me and it was okay. "The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever." (2 Cor. 4:18)

So even though we experience sorrow and despair, there is a peace within. Why? Because our souls belong somewhere else; not here. They long to go home: die. For when we die, we go home. Home is heaven and that is where we have a our permanent assignment. We will dance and sing and praise and be totally glad that we are home for good. There will be no sorrow and no despair, just total fullness of being and everlasting life. Doesn't that sound great? I can't wait for that feeling to be totally engrossed in joy and peace. WOW!

But I am here on earth for the moment. And as long as God gives me on this temporary assignment, I must be mindful of my job here. I must not fall into the mindset of this world and all it has to offer me. I will stay focused and determined to complete every task God sends my way. And even though I may feel depressed, distraught or even mad at times, I will also remember that this is temporary. Those negative feelings can be used as a remembrance of my mansion in heaven. "It is well with my soul."