Ecclesiastes 3:6

A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away

Good Times, Bad Times

What was this world originally designed for? It was created as a place for man to live in God’s presence in the garden. But then temptation and sin came into the picture. From then on, the world has gone down in a wavy pattern. This means there will be times when things seem good. We gain happiness, friends, and other notable things.

But as the wave goes on, things go down. We lose a friend, lose a job, and the swirl seems to strengthen as it drains us. As humans, we should be comfortable with loss. We weren’t meant to spend this life accumulating. We are to spend this time winning souls and telling people about Jesus. Our time here on this rock is temporary. To whom will we leave our possessions? They could waste everything we spent our time getting!

Some things are meant for us to keep. Again, not possessions. We are to keep God’s commandments, His word, and everything else God intends for us in our hearts. These things of God should drive our lives. People come and go! Live long enough and you will find that out. Jobs are taken from us. Money slips through our fingers. But God and His word live forever. Keep them securely in your heart.

After you keep God in your heart, realize He will call you to throw some things away! John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Sometimes, for God to grow us, He needs to take some things away. More likely, He will do this when you least expect it. Are you ready for this? Is God fully on the throne of your heart?