I remember buying a pair of Converse high-top sneakers when I was a freshman in college. They were the coolest sneaker in the world. Not only were they canvas Converse high-tops, but they were red! Yeah … when I walked out on the floor with my chicken-legs and those red Converse high-tops on, all the action stopped! Of course that was only in my dreams! Actually, I wore those sneakers to play street hockey. One day I planted my left foot to go around an opponent and the sole of that shoe stayed exactly where I had planted it. The problem was, the canvas was not as sturdy, and my foot blew right through the side of those incredibly handsome sneakers! I had only gotten three years out of those things! I have visions of wearing them well into my 30’s (can you imagine that visual picture?).
I realized quickly in life that some of those things we thought would last a life-time might not even make the end of a year, or a month! Things on this earth are at best only temporary. The Bible says it this way … “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:18). What a vivid reminder of the reality of things today. We strive for so many things that are here today and gone tomorrow. Many of the things we place our greatest efforts into, are not even going to matter in the future. Many of the things we spend hours arguing about, or defending, or putting great effort into will not even make the end of the month!
This brings me to a very sobering question for today … what am I doing with my life today that will have eternal value? What project am I working on that will meet me in Heaven? What am I investing my time in today that will outlast my own brief life? Am I wasting time by worrying about things that will last no longer than my Converse sneakers? Am I placing value on things that will be looked at in Heaven as ridiculous? Am I ultimately working towards goals that God had in mind for my life when He formed me in my mother’s womb? Am I attempting, and achieving things that are worthy of eternity? The things I have wasted time on in the past can never be recouped, but the things I am planning to do today can be turned over to the control of my Heavenly Father. Don’t build with wood, hay and stubble today. Let God direct your steps and make a difference for Him today.