The Impermanence of Impermanence

A bit of a bittersweet moment for me recently, as I had to let a vehicle go, totaled by circumstances outside of my control. True, it's just a car, but many of us have cars at one point or another that we just really like. Thankfully I'm fine, and no one else was involved.

I remember when I got it, it was after a long (though it was probably my fault that it was so long) season of searching for a vehicle. But, God in His faithfulness, provided me with a nice ride that would serve me well for eight years. And in His goodness, even though I've lost a vehicle due to circumstances outside of my control, the frustration of it is lessened by His graciousness in certain aspects surrounding the situation.

But just as He gave it to me, He also has taken it away. Blessed be the name of the Lord, right? Yes, right.

Again, I realize it is just a car, and I am very thankful for it. The truth is, there are so many things in this life of such immensely greater value than that, and yet they come and go just as easily sometimes, do they not? I don't need to fill in the blanks for you, you can fill it with whatever great losses you have experienced. We encounter many losses in life, the fleeting nature of this world is evident to us all.

We see then, that this life is a life of impermanence. We are but dust, and everything in this life is equally dusty.

And yet, standing before us is a day in which that will cease to be the case.

Those things that rust and moth destroy, will be replaced by something greater. That which sin has tainted will be redeemed, or rightfully judged. Death will be defeated. Our tears over the losses of this life will be wiped away. The weariness in our bones, the regrets, the seasons of grief, gone. That which fades, will no longer fade. The permanent, the pure, the perfect will be what is before us, forever. This is the impermanence of impermanence. How do we know? Because God Himself has told us.

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." - Revelation 21:5

I really do long for that day. The older I get, the more I long to see sorrow and sin gone. This life, as great as it oftentimes can be, is not where we belong. No, we belong in a greater city, and by God's grace in Christ, those who are His will be with Him in that city one day. Then, there will be no more loss, no more tears, no more grief, no more sin, no more devil. Instead, it will just be that which lasts.