Time is Short, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
"But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away."
Paul is obviously not telling the Corinthian church to ignore their wives or disregard sadness and rejoicing or to not be thankful for the material blessings the Lord has given them. Rather, he is shifting their focus off of those things and onto what really matters: time is short, the Lord is coming at any time, and there are lost souls to be saved, work to be done for the kingdom of God. In every circumstance of life, our focus should never be on the circumstance itself but on living for Christ and the glory of God throughout those circumstances.
In life we experience many different circumstances and emotions. We may be happy and rejoice for things are going well for us. We may be in love, or we may be heartbroken. We may delight in new life or mourn for a past life. Many times the emotions we feel are so deep, so vivid, so real that it's hard for us not to get caught up in what we are feeling in our hearts. We become focused on our own circumstances and our own hearts. But these things will all pass away shortly. Therefore we should not spend out lives focused on what our hearts are going through but rather on Christ and the kingdom of God.
Though I weep now, I will not weep always, for He will wipe every tear from my eye; He will put away sadness, sorrow, mourning and pain. Though I feel alone now, I will not feel alone always, for in that day I will see Him face to face and be with Him forever more, my beloved Savior. Though I am brought low and am troubled in my soul, though I am longing for rest and comfort, I will not always do so, for when I see my Jesus face to face I will find that all my cares were cast away and all that remains in perfect rest. Though my mind at times seems to bring me anything but peace, it will not always be so. The works of the flesh shall be no more; with one look from my Beloved all that will remain is His likeness in me.
With such a hope, such a wonderful future promised to us from God Himself, our problems and our joys seem to be incomparably small and insignificant. Why then are we brought low? Why do we weep? Why do we get so caught up in the blessings of God that we forget that it is God who blessed us, and to not rejoice over the blessing but the Blessed One? Our focus is on the flesh, on the world. But it should not be so, because these things are all passing away. Though God gives us temporal blessings here on earth, though He brings us joy and rest, though we experience discomfort and sorrow, these things are only a shadow of things to come. We should therefore keep our eyes focused on our Lord and Savior and not on our present or past, or even future, circumstances.
The heart is a dangerous thing. With it we experience gladness and joy; with it we experience a deep and wonderous thing called love. With the heart we come to know pain and grieving, sorrow and envy. The Bible says the heart is deceitfully wicked above all things, that no one can know it. But God knows our hearts. He knows our frame, that we are but dust. He will not give us more than we can handle, but in every temptation a way of escape, if only to deny ourselves in obedience to His word.
As I walk each day with You Lord, as I step into new and different areas of life, I can't help but wonder what You are up to and what is going on. I thought You had spoken to me, and I felt great joy. But I didn't know that this is what it would be like. I didn't know when You spoke to me all those months that this is what would happen. I didn't think that my heart would ever be broken again. Perhaps You are showing me, Lord, that I can't expect perfection in human relationships, but only from You. There is no one that won't break my heart, there is no one but You who will love me with perfect love.
Why, Lord, is this happening? I just want to know Your purpose. But You have told me that You have plans to prosper me and not to harm me. You are a God of love; You would not lead me down a path of ruin. I just don't understand. I thought I was walking in Your will, I thought I was bringing it all to You in prayer. But it only seems like I am brought low, sorrowing in my heart.
I know Lord that You are showing me something here. I can't focus on what is in my heart, be it good or bad. That is why I am going up and down, up and down. That is why I am brought low. When good things happen I rejoice, and when I feel I am ignored and unimportant I am sad and in my heart I grieve. But Lord, time is short. Though I have interest in someone I should live as though I had none: I should focus all my thoughts on You, God, and Your purposes and plans.
Though I weep, I should live as though I weep not, giving myself in service to those around me and not sorrowing in isolation, focusing on self. Lord, though I rejoice in getting to spend time or talk to that one, I should live as though I did not rejoice, for such rejoicing is temporary and fleeting (as I have especially come to realize) and I cannot base my happiness on my external circumstances but only on You. Though I buy something and though You bless me with material things, I should live as though I did not posess such things, because things cannot bring happiness. If I trust or delight in those things I will be brought to naught for those things will pass away.
The only thing, Lord, that will remain is You. You are God, high above the earth. There is no one else, nothing else that can satisfy me. There is nothing else that I need. There is no other that can bring stability and solidity to life. With You at my side I can know no boundaries; I need only to deny myself and walk in the Spirit. In giving we gain the most. In giving my life to You, I will gain everything. In losing all I will posess all.