Turning from the Temporary to the Eternal
By Dean Collins
The first time I saw cotton candy was at the Florida State Fair. I was probably in kindergarten or early elementary school when the smell and color of the cotton candy caught my attention. The desire grew stronger as I saw other children consuming this fluffy and colorful treat. I don’t remember the sequence of events, but eventually I had this sweet treat in my mouth and it was wonderful for a few minutes. Then it was over. It didn’t take me long to figure out that there is no lasting value in cotton candy. But boy, is it appealing to the senses!
If you have ever read or watched C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe, then you know the plot line includes a sweet treat called Turkish delight which the witch used to entice and entrap the children so that they could accomplish her goal of controlling Narnia. While the texture of Turkish delight sounds different than cotton candy, I think the allure of this sweet treat is similar.
So what does this have to do with today’s devotional thought? Well, as I continue mining the richness of Psalm 119, I am focused on verses 36-37:
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
The psalmist understood that we must be intentional in what we give our attention to. Otherwise, we might find ourselves focusing on things that are ultimately worthless. We know that digital media bombards us constantly with images of things that we are shown and told will give us pleasure, make us wealthy, make us successful, make us look great and feel great, and on and on. There is certainly nothing wrong with many of the products that are suggested for us to use or enjoy.
Social media can be addictive and without self-discipline we may just find ourselves buying more than we need. Our constant gaze on the nicer house, the newer car, or even the supplements that we are guaranteed will make us look better and live longer can drain our energy and our bank accounts if we are not careful.
There is nothing we can buy that will last forever. And there is nothing we can buy that will make us live forever. But God’s inspired word can fill us with life-changing truth that, if adhered to, can bring peace, joy, and guidance for how we can experience life fully and even live eternally!
Before this day is over you will hear more testimonials than you can count concerning the value of some product or service. But the testimonies of scripture endure forever. So take time to turn off the noise of the world and turn your eyes away from worthless things and toward the promises of the life that God has offered us through his gift of his son Jesus!
Father, today we are guided by your word to look to you and not to the world. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and fill our minds with your wisdom that we might share our testimony with someone even today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 119:36-37 ESV
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