Planned Obsolescence

Did you know that many products are designed with a limited life cycle so that we will be forced to buy new? Microsoft, for example, after a few years no longer offers support to the older computer operating systems forcing us to upgrade to their new products. I am told that light bulbs that would last a lifetime could be produced, but manufacturers want them to burn out after a thousand or so hours of usage, so we will buy another. Even the automobile industry changes models with superficial design modifications so that it is possible to recognize a 2004 model from a 2007 model! Humans, being what we are, want the latest and greatest, and so we are caught up in the cycle, often buying something 'new,' not because we actually need it, but just because it gives us a feeling of being 'with the times!'

The Bible says that God created you and me for eternity! We do not become obsolete. Yes, as we age, we may feel like life is passing us by, especially in our current youth-oriented culture. Americans worship youthfulness - the firm bodies, smooth skin, and physical vigor of that time of life. For many the value of aging and the enjoyment of greater productivity and effectiveness that life experience can bring to us is eclipsed by the diminishing stamina, the increase in aches, and yes, the diminishing sexual desire. With a fervency approaching the ridiculous we try to hang onto our youth. If you doubt me on that, explain all the products that are successfully marketed that serve no purpose other than maintaining the illusion of unending youth for us.

Though we live about 70 years here on earth, give or take a decade or two, God has given you and me the promise of eternal life in His Presence. The Scripture says, "He has set eternity in our hearts!"

Believer in order to finish well in this life- with honor intact, and a record of achievement that honors the Lord- we need to take seriously the encouragement of the Word that teaches us to "keep our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven." (Hebrews 12:2, NLT) Why did Jesus finish the plan of God? Because He knew there was something on the other side of the Cross! If we have only a vague, fuzzy idea about eternity; if Heaven is just a concept 'out there somewhere' for us, then we will become slaves of the present, fighting the process of aging with every pill and cream we can lay our hands on. But, if we are loving and serving a living God, making the connection to Eternity on a daily basis, we will move steady on through life - accepting each season with grace - and becoming increasingly ready to ''go home" to our true and eternal house, not made with human hands, in which there are no products created by engineers with the idea of planned obsolescence!

Friend, is Heaven in your heart? Are you taking joy in life today, maximizing the opportunities to serve and love God, because the Holy Spirit has already made you alive for eternity through Jesus Christ?
Please do not think I am talking about detaching from life here and attempting to escape the very real challenges of living in this present world by fantasizing about heaven. I am talking about making life a richer, fuller, more productive experience because of the hope of Heaven that gives our struggles meaning and that helps us choose the path of right living.

Let me leave you with these words from the Word. Ponder them deeply and invite the Spirit to give you eyes to see Heaven on the horizon of your time here on this planet."We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands." (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, NLT)
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I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known;
Nor why, unworthy,
Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me.
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."

© Public Domain

I Know Whom I Have Believed
Whittle, Major Daniel W. / McGranahan, James