Today’s post includes a poem about our struggle to let go of (or even simply loosen our grip on) the things in this life that we value too highly. The truth is that this life is temporary—so everything in it that you treasure could disappear in an instant. Except for Jesus. He isn’t temporary like everything else we know. And He alone remains when nothing else does. So instead of clinging to temporary treasures, cling to the One who always was, is and will be.
If everything I knew
Disappeared into the air,
Would I turn to run away?
Or would I recall Your care?
Would I rush into the darkness?
Or would I rush to Your arms?
Would I linger in my sadness?
Or would I run to Your heart?
I know I want You, Lord,
But I want the world, too.
I know I cannot have both,
And so now I have to choose.
Yes, I cling to empty things;
And I know my grasp is tight.
But Your grasp on me is tighter,
So, in You, I must abide.
If my fam’ly moved away,
I would never be the same.
If I had to leave my friends,
I would linger in the pain.
Would I put up barriers?
Or would I cling to Your side?
Would I hold onto Your goodness
If I had to say goodbye?
I know I want You, Lord,
But I want the world, too.
I know I can’t have both,
And so now I have to choose.
Yes, I cling to empty things;
And I know my grasp is tight.
But Your grasp on me is tighter,
So, in You, I must abide.
I’m holding on so tightly
To vapors in the wind.
In a moment, all could vanish;
And my life would feel so dim.
I must loosen my strong grip
On these vapors in the wind,
But I need Your guidance, Lord;
So please strengthen me within.
I know I want You, Lord,
But I want the world, too.
I know I cannot have both,
And so now I have to choose.
Yes, I cling to empty things;
And I know my grasp is tight.
But Your grasp on me is tighter,
So in You I must abide.
If everything I knew
Disappeared into the air,
I would need to run to You
Because You’re always there.
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (James 4:14 NASB1995)
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