May 10 | Revelation 18:10b-20

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DAILY READING

Revelation 18:10b-20

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REFLECTION

No Expiration Date

By Elaine Pierce

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." This is the refrain from a poem C. T. Studd (1860-1931) wrote when he was on the mission field in China. Mr. Studd was an elite cricket player, but he gave up the chance for fame and fortune (cricket is a much bigger deal in England than over here) to serve in China, India and later in Africa. When asked about his passion for mission, he famously said this:

"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."

Revelation 18 is full of doom and gloom for the wicked city of Babylon. This great city, full of riches of every kind, is condemned to ruin. In one hour! The merchants of the city are distraught - their riches and splendor have vanished. Everything that they put their trust in is gone. Their grief is visceral - where can they turn now that all they relied on has been destroyed? They counted on the city and its wealth, power and prestige to be there forever. They placed their trust in earthly wealth, and it has let them down.

I want to be more like Mr. Studd and focus my life on 'only what's done for Christ.' But I confess that I, like the Babylonians, easily fall into the temptation of looking to power, comfort, and possessions to give me hope and security.

Note in Revelation 18:4, the angels exhort the Babylonians to flee from this city of sin:

Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.

We don't have to wallow in sin; we don't have to wander in the wilderness. God offers us a different path. Material comfort, secular power, riches and ease of living - they all seem so solid, so lasting and durable. But they don't last, they don't endure. As C. J. Stud said, 'only what's done for Christ will last.' Let it be so.

PRAYER

Take time to meditate on the entire poem 'Only what's done for Christ will last.' https://tonycooke.org/stories-and-illustrations/only-one-life/. Ask God to give you and to give me a heart that yearns for eternity, for what will last - life with the Father in heaven.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!