“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” — Ecclesiastes 1:4
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” — 1 John 2:17
Life moves like a river. It does not stop because a year ends, a birthday comes, a job changes, or a loved one passes away. Time keeps flowing. People come and go. Seasons change. Plans rise and fall. The things that feel so permanent today may look very small tomorrow.
That is the plain truth Ecclesiastes gives us: one generation goes, another comes, and life keeps moving. It reminds us that we are not here forever. We are travelers, not owners. We may live in the world, work in it, build in it, and love people in it, but we cannot hold on to this life with closed fists.
What Passes Away
Many things pass away. Youth passes. Strength passes. Money can pass. Popularity passes. Opportunities pass. Even grief and trouble, though they may feel endless while we are in them, do not last forever in the same form.
John says the world passes away, along with its desires. In simple terms, the things people chase apart from God do not last. The applause fades. The pleasure wears off. The newest thing becomes old. The thing we thought would satisfy us leaves us looking for something else.
This does not mean that life is worthless. It means life is too precious to waste on things that cannot carry eternal weight. If we build our whole happiness on what can be lost, we will always live with fear. But if we build on God, we stand on something that cannot be shaken.
What Abides
What abides? John answers clearly: the person who does the will of God abides forever. That means a life surrendered to God is not wasted. A quiet act of obedience matters. A prayer offered in faith matters. A kindness done in love matters. A decision to forgive, serve, tell the truth, or stay faithful matters.
God’s will is not only for church services or special holy moments. We can do God’s will in everyday life: at home, at work, in conversations, in how we treat people, in how we handle disappointment, and in how we use our time.
What is done for selfish pride will pass. What is done out of love for God will remain. The same simple task can become holy when it is done with a heart that wants to please Him.
A Simple Lesson for Us
These verses teach us to hold temporary things loosely and eternal things tightly. Enjoy the blessings God gives, but do not make them your god. Love your family, do your work well, care for your body, plan for the future, and be grateful for good things—but remember that none of these can take God’s place.
We should ask ourselves: Am I living only for what passes, or am I living for what abides? Am I chasing what will fade, or am I seeking what pleases God? Am I spending my days on things that will matter when this life is over?
Life is short, but it is not meaningless. Time is passing, but obedience to God is never wasted. The world changes, but God remains. Our bodies grow older, but the soul that belongs to God has a future beyond the grave.
Final Thought
The river of time will keep flowing. We cannot stop it. But we can choose where we stand. We can stand on passing desires, or we can stand on the will of God. One will fade. The other will last.
So let us live wisely. Let us love deeply. Let us obey God faithfully. Let us do today what will still matter tomorrow, and even beyond tomorrow. For the world passes away, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to see what is temporary and what is eternal. Help me not to waste my life chasing what cannot last. Give me a heart that loves You, obeys You, and lives for what abides. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green I June 2026