Temp Agencies serve the purpose of providing temporary workers for various jobs on an as needed basis. Sometimes these temporarily fill in for workers who have taken a leave of absence. Other times this temporary employment assists when a business or company has extra work to be done that would be too much to add to the current workload of the regular work force. Though not permanently placed, the work done by these temporary employees is to be done in a manner reflecting well on the agency who has sent them.
It has been duly noted that “Life is a temporary assignment.” Yes, life is significant, but it is to be lived acknowledging it is only temporary in this earthly realm.
As one of the psalmists noted. . .
“(19) I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!” (Psalm 119:19 ESV)
This sentiment was also reflected by the writer of Hebrews and by Peter as well. (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11) Acknowledging his life would have its end, Peter focused on using the time he had to remind his readers of what was important. (2 Peter 1:13-14) His earthly role was a temporary assignment!
Other passages note the temporariness of our life such as Paul did in writing to Christians at Corinth in stating. . .
“(16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV)
Paul would go on to note the temporariness of our earthly tent with the assurance of a heavenly dwelling to come. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) We are sojourners here and the body we presently have grows older day-by-day and will someday return to the dust from which it came while our spirit will return to the One Who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) Life in this realm is temporary — described even by James as a mist appearing for a little while but soon to vanish (James 4:14) — but there is something eternal which has been prepared for us to which we are to continually be moving toward.
So, what ought to be our foundational focus during our “temporary assignment” in this realm? I think Paul said it well in his letter to Christians at Rome where we read. . .
“(7) For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. (8) For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7-8 ESV)
Making life all about our belonging to the Lord will aid in maintaining a proper focus on the eternal significance of our temporary role presently, as we live prepared and seek to prepare others for the eternity to come! While we have life, may we remain employed in the things of God to His glory and praise!
Have a great day ACKNOWLEDGING THE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE LIVED IN THIS TEMPORAL REALM!
Carl
