I ponder upon those verses from II Peter 3:10-12
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
That every worldly thing we place value upon and strive to possess will one day be vaporized SHOULD make us realize where our TRUE treasure should be. And, when we truly get it that nothing tangible on this earth (art, money, jewels, mansions, cars, etc.) will escape this end, WHAT kind of people will we be and how will this knowledge effect the way we live our lives before Almighty God??? When I first read that passage, it hit me right between the eyes and gave me an entirely new outlook on what really matters in this life.
Sure, we like to look at pretty things - but I have YET to view a painting, no matter how talented the artist, that compares to the real thing. I've seen some amazing sunsets in my life but none I ever photographed came close to the reality. Will not the creator of it all not have much better to replace it with? Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (I Cor. 2:9)
It reminds me of the story I heard about a rich man who wanted to take it with him when he died.
He bargained with God that when he died, he could take a suitcase full of gold.
So the night comes, the guy dies, and on his way out, grabs the suitcase.
He gets to the pearly gates, lugging his suitcase but St. Peter stops him and tells him he can’t bring it in. Nobody is allowed to. The guy states that it’s all been taken care of. He’s got permission from God Himself.
Peter says he’s going to have to check on that but asks if he minds if he takes a peek first. The guy says *No* and opens the suitcase.
Peter takes a look and asks the guy, *Why in the world would anyone want to bring pavement?*
Yes, but we can be grateful (and should be grateful) for what we do have too, while we remain in the bodily forms that we are. Ok --- but you know all of that and more, and really don't need me to tell you much, as near as I can determine...
Carry on. Be encouraged.