Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

One morning, as an 11-year-old kid, I was loading into the car with my mom and brother to head out for school (late, per the usual). It was a cold December morning, and I remember being irritated with my mom for not warming up the car before we got in. As we were pulling out of the driveway, we were immediately met by my aunt’s little black Nissan as it quickly swooped in behind us. She stepped out of the car with a face that was as white as a ghost and told us that my grandparents’ home was on fire, and it was bad.

I’ll never forget the sight of coming down that road, the one that housed my most favorite place in the whole world. As we made the turn onto Beverly Hills Loop, I saw a black concrete slab that held the remains of my dearest childhood memories. My heart felt as if it had been smashed into a thousand pieces. 

On Christmas Eve of the year 2000, we walked past that black concrete and soot into a tiny mobile home temporarily placed in the yard. There was no Christmas tree or drinking glasses painted with the 12 days of Christmas. Just a sad little fern that we had decorated with ribbon and homemade paper garland. As a child, I had fully believed that: without the home that I knew and the stuff that had filled it, Christmas just wouldn’t feel like Christmas ever again. 

It turns out that night will remain one of the sweetest memories of my life. I remember it so vividly because it was not about what we received or the stuff that we had surrounding us; it was about family. I don’t know that I have ever felt love so present in a room as I did on that Christmas Eve. It’s been over 20 years since that fire. The home that had been lost was rebuilt on the very same slab, and the new walls now hold their own precious memories full of life, love, and laughter. 

We spend so much of our time building careers, reputations, homes, wealth, and plans. And yet, Peter reminds us in chapter 3 that everything we see and touch is temporary. One day, it will all be exposed for what it truly is. The Lord will return just as that big roaring fire came that December morning. He will sweep away all that is not eternal. Nothing hidden. Nothing lasting except what’s rooted in Christ.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10) 

That’s some pretty strong language. The “heavens will disappear,” the elements will be “destroyed by fire,” and everything will be “laid bare.” Whoa. That’s a lot to process, but the intention is not to frighten us. It is to focus us. 

It gives us all the chance to ask: “What should I be doing with this life that I’ve been given?”

Peter gives us the answer in verse 11:

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.”

This is the call. To live in light of eternity. To live holy, godly, and expectant lives. To live today with tomorrow’s kingdom in mind.

We do this by: 

• Pursuing holiness not out of fear, but out of love for the one who is coming.
• Letting go of things that bind us too tightly to this world: materialism, pride, arrogance and control.
• Investing in people, truth, and the gospel rather than the temporary things that distract us from what really matters.
• Living not with panic, but with purpose. 

The things of this world may feel solid now, but one day they’ll be gone. What will remain is our character, our love for God, our obedience, and our relationship with Jesus. When He returns (and He will), may He find us ready, watching, and rooted in what truly lasts.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

James Weekly Verse Challenge

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.