What Really Matters?

By Missey Butler
Guest Writer

CBN.com - Whenever I think about those precious souls that lost their lives on that fateful September morning of 9/11, it always causes me to look inwardly and wonder,“What would my own life be like, if tomorrow should start without me.”

One day it will actually happen. There will be no more sunrises. No more days, weeks, or months. Time as we know it, will be no more. Every earthly possession that we hold dear, will one day vanish. Just like the magician who opens all sides of the box, as the audience peers through a vacant square of nothingness.

Any wealth, fame or power that we may have acquired along the way will have no significance whatsoever. It will all be meaningless.

Isaiah spoke the word of the Lord concerning this coming reality when he said:

“The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind" (Isaiah 65:17).

Can you even imagine not being able to recall anything of your life while you existed on earth? Well that’s exactly what this verse is saying. The former things will not be remembered or even come to mind.

Whenever I read this verse, it’s as if my life suddenly becomes surreal. I begin to see myself as here but at the same time not here. I momentarily have an “all systems” shut down, as my thoughts are transported outside of myself while viewing all things present as nothing more than an afterthought.

I don’t say these things lightly, or in any way attempt to put a damper on whoever happens to be reading these lines. I simply share these thoughts as a reminder of just how temporary this whole thing called life really is!

"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).

It is true that we came into this world with nothing, and it is certain that we will leave the same way. So what is it that really matters?

There’s a well known saying that has circulated for years and it goes like this:

"Soon this life as we know it shall pass. Only what’s done for Jesus will last."

There it is. Perhaps as we consider that everything we see now with our natural eyes will one day pass away, we can than begin to rightly prioritize our lives in light of eternal significance. We must allow Christ to be so completely and thoroughly formed in us that all that remains is the manifestation of His Glory! For in the end, that will be the only thing that truly matters.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (11 Corinthians 4:18).

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