A couple of days ago, I misplaced my cellphone and couldn’t find it. I searched high and low, under the seat cushions, everywhere. I turned the house upside down looking for it. Then my mind started racing. When did I last have it? Was it at church? The grocery store? The gas station? The restaurant? I’m ashamed to admit it, but this really had me frazzled. It was totally unsettling!
It took a while, but I finally found it. It was in one of the cup holders inside my car. It then hit me: I don’t own this cellphone, it owns me. Isn’t it crazy how we can become so attached to something that, in the overall scheme of things, has absolutely no value in God’s kingdom?
This brings us to today’s Scripture passage, where the Apostle John says: “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever“ (1 John 2:15-17).
When I read this passage, it makes me pause and ask: Besides my cellphone, what else am I holding on to that has no eternal value?”
The truth is, anything outside of God that we rely on for joy, security, or identity can easily become an attachment – or an idol. John refers to these as cravings: the lust of the flesh (seeking comfort and pleasure), the lust of the eyes (envying what others have), and the pride of life (finding worth in our achievements and possessions). These attachments may seem harmless on the surface, but they compete with God for our hearts.
And they don’t last, they have no eternal value. John reminds us that “this world is fading away.” The possessions we chase, the status we cling to, the approval we crave – they are all temporary. And when we place our hope in them, we’re left empty and unsatisfied.
So, how do we let go? It begins with honestly examining our hearts. What are you relying on to bring you happiness or peace that isn’t God? Maybe it’s your career, your finances, your appearance, or a relationship. For me, that day with my cellphone, I realized how much I’d let something so small consume my thoughts.
But there’s hope in John’s words. He says, “Anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” God calls us to shift our focus from the fleeting things of this world to the eternal things of His kingdom. Loving Him, serving others, and living with humility and genuine faith – that’s where true fulfillment and lasting joy are found.
Take a moment today to ask God to reveal anything in your life that’s pulling you away from Him. Then, surrender it to Him. Only God can satisfy the deepest longings of your heart.
Today’s prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me of what truly matters. I confess that I’ve allowed the things of this world to take up space in my heart that belongs to You. Help me to let go of anything that competes with You. Teach me to trust You, love You, and live for what lasts forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 