The Ballestero Blog

For Now

Today during rush hour, I noticed the license plate on the Toyota in front of me read, “For Now.” Evidently the owner had plans for a more luxurious vehicle in his future.

The world’s message to young and old is to seize the moment. Live in the now.

For Now is a lifestyle to which most of us are accustomed. For example:

Paper And Plastic

Things made from paper and plastic were made to last mostly, for now. Paper plates are for temporary use. They quietly say that someday there will be china on the table. I’m only here for this one meal.

Some Jobs

Very few retire from a fast food job. They only took the job, for now, because the one they want is unavailable at this time. As soon as something better opens up, they are gone.

There are “Temp Employment Agencies” who specialize in the for now.

Some Relationships

Boyfriends and girlfriends come and go. They are the people you can like for now. Some day you hope to find a permanent person to love. It’s called marriage. Sadly, there are even some twisted people who rationalize that marriage is only a for now thing.

Some Homes

Real Estate Brokers sell starter homes. They don’t expect the buyer to grow old there. Those houses are for newlyweds getting a start in life. They are for now.

A Rent House is where you live for now. It’s what you have till you can buy your own house.

Even Motels

Motels are for those needing a place to sleep for now.

Sins Pleasures

Moses chose to identify with the people of God, than with the house of Pharaoh. He understood that sin’s pleasures were only for now, and then they would vanish.

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

1. Adulterers live in a for now world.
2. Alcoholics, drug users and abusers are addicted to the for now feeling.

Saints of old sang: “This World Is Not My Home, I’m Just A Passing Through.” They were not focused on the for now.

Bible Illustrations

Israel was content to dwell in the for now, whether that was in Egypt or the Wilderness. She had to be pushed into the Promised Land.

Esau willingly traded his most valuable possession for a bowl of pottage. His eternal birthright was swapped straight across for something that would make him happy for now. He lost his forever in his quest for now.

Demas was once the Apostle Paul’s travel companion and fellow laborer. His thoughts turned from things above to began to the world around him. He chose to live in the for now, and abandon any hope of the forever.

The Song Writer

Jennie Wilson words that have lasted for scores of years. She warned us all to build our hopes on things eternal.

__________________________________________________________________________

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”

Words: Jennie Wilson.

Music: Franklin L. Eiland

 

1. Time is filled with swift transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

       

Refrain:

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand;

        Build your hopes on things eternal,

        Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

 

2. Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring,

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling.

 

3. Covet not this world’s vain riches

That so rapidly decay,

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures

They will never pass away.

 

4. When your journey is completed,

If to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in glory

Your enraptured soul will view.

__________________________________________________________________________

Troubles Are Temporary. They are For Now Moments.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Corinthians 4:17 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul Challenged Us To Not Let the For Now Separate Us From Him.

Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.