HOLD FAST TO THE THINGS ETERNAL

Hold Fast to the Things Eternal

I can hardly believe how easy it is to let go of the important things while keeping a death-hold on the things that are worthless. Join me in prayer today for the will and desire to release our hold on “the things which are seen (that) are temporary” so we can grasp the unseen, eternal truths of our Lord.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Holding On

I have an unwanted guest in my house. His name is Arthur-itis. You may know him well. Sometimes he causes me to lose my grip on things. At other times, he seizes my joints until I can’t let go, causing pain and anguish. And he leaves his calling card as he follows me around—red, swollen, misshapen lumps on my fingers.

Osteoarthritis is a common malady among us older folks. There are remedies that can help—a change in diet, exercise, heat therapy, and certain pain medications. But it takes persistence and patience, prayer and planning to reduce the hold arthritis has on our bodies and the effect it has on our minds. Even though we may suffer from the malady, we don’t have to let it take hold of our life.

I suffered from another itis in my younger days. I call it sin-itis. I brought it on myself, partying at the neglect of my family and my health. Oh, I clung to my faith with one weak pinkie, so to speak, yet knew it wasn’t enough. I knew that the stubborn hold I had on my lifestyle would eventually destroy me. Nothing would change until I surrendered to God and accepted His perfect will, releasing the hold on my flawed self-will. Finally, through God’s supernatural grace, I let go.

We tend to hold on to many worthless things. Remember reading about the man who insisted he be buried sitting in his classic car? Though a far-fetched, silly example, it gives us pause to think about the things we also hold onto, things we aren’t willing to let go. Such things don’t have to be visible. For instance, we can hold onto bad habits and bad attitudes as well as anger or unforgiveness. Anything we cling to that does not promote our well-being or our relationship with people and with God can choke us with pain and anguish, as surely as osteoarthritis can.

Jesus said we should “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Paul writes about the importance of “the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that Word which I preached to you ….” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

Lord, help us relinquish our hold on physical things, bad habits, and bad attitudes—anything that keep us from loving You above all else and from seeking to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.