City Life Starter

I. The Word: 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. –1 Corinthians 7:29-35

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13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:13-14

II. Reflection Questions

If you are being honest, what is your primary goal or ambition in life?

How do you stay motivated in your walk with God?

What is God calling you to do today?

By Aisha Darwesh

Today’s scripture from 1 Corinthians 7 zeroes in on the reality that this world we live in is temporal and finite. The things that we are concerned about now will soon pass away. The only way to live this life in victory is to view this life from an eternal perspective.

Living with eternity in mind will drastically change your decision-making process. Imagine how differently you would live today if you knew the things you did today had an eternal impact. As we learned in 1 Corinthians 3, everything we build in this life will be tested with fire. The fire will show if the work we’ve done has any value (1 Cor 3:13).

For those who are building their foundation with things like wood, hay, and straw, the fire will burn right through it. For those who are building their foundation with gold, silver, and jewels, the fire will purify it. So the question is, are you building your foundation with the temporal (wood, hay, and straw) or the eternal (gold, silver, and jewels)?

Whether married or single, happy or sad, I think the essence of what Paul is saying in our key verses today is that we should not be distracted by the cares of this world. I love the scripture from Philippians referenced above:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 3:13-14

Let’s think about everything that Paul had to endure in life: being imprisoned, beaten, persecuted, stoned, shipwrecked, snakebitten, beheaded among so many other discomforts, trials, and tribulations. How did he endure it all?

He put it behind him (forgetting what is behind) and strained toward what lay ahead of him: the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus.

It’s not about a so-called “happy ending.” It’s about living for God and choosing His ways in whatever situation you may find yourself.

Application

Whatever your situation is today, don’t be a victim or a prisoner of your circumstances. If you are sad, we have an overwhelming joy that awaits us in eternity. If you are happy, realize that it is but a shadow compared to the glory that awaits you. If you are growing attached to all the stuff you have, remember it’s all passing away. If you are single, devote your time and energy to the Lord. If you are married, your marriage is a reflection of Christ’s love for the church, so let your marriage preach the gospel to people everywhere you go.

26-29 This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. (Colossians 1:26-29 MSG).

Prayer

Lord, I want to thank You for giving it all for me. You gave me Christ. What a gift! Thank You for Your mercy and endless love. Now, I want to give it all to You in return. Father, today I say this, and I mean it with all of my heart, I trust You. In Jesus Name, Amen.