William Wise
[Originally published in November 2020 as Just Passing Through]
“We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” 1 Chronicles 29:15
Like a golden beam of sunshine that briefly pierces an autumn cloud cover, a Cape May Warbler made a brief but dazzling appearance in my backyard this month. Just as quickly as I was able to take three shots, she was off, not to be seen again. She didn’t stop to feed. She didn’t gather any nesting material. She didn’t have a bath or a drink. She was just passing through.
Just as these migrating birds only briefly stop during their long travels to and from their breeding grounds, I am reminded of the Christian’s journey here in this world. Although we may be busy putting down roots and making ourselves comfortable, the Bible describes the Christian as a pilgrim, as a sojourner just passing through. We are not permanent residents of this world but headed for another.
Our destination is not a seasonal wintering ground in South America, but a permanent, eternal home in heaven. Like the warblers that quickly pass through our yards each spring and fall, the Christian is to have a mind of temporary residency as we pass through this life oriented towards eternity. Let us enjoy the wonders of this world, but also keep a mind on eternity!
Colossians 3:1-3 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
