All flesh is grass . . . The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
When I was a very small boy, I had a pair of tiger-striped pajamas. From what I recall, I wore those pajamas every time I had the chance (and I believe there are some surviving photographs). I LOVED those pajamas. They were one of my favorite things in the world. One day, however, they were gone. As an adult now—and a parent—I realize what happened to them back then: I outgrew them and they were donated or given away or tossed. At the time, however, I remember being devastated (and I may very well have pitched a fit—don’t remember that part J). It was hard for me to come to grips with the fact that this thing so beloved was now gone.
What that “little Ricky” experienced back in the early 70s, however, is something that more mature people have known for a while—that most of what we see, touch, and experience in our world is temporary. None of it lasts. In sports, for instance, a victory on Saturday is pretty well gone by Sunday when plans for the next contest are already well underway. The same goes for defeat. Trees and flowers sprout and grow and bud, and then they die. It may take a while to complete that process, but it happens. Our lives, too, are temporary, at least in this place. As a result, our challenges, pain, and trials are also temporary. The only thing that is eternal is the God who made us. But because we are children of this great God, we have been promised eternity along with him. And God’s promises are forever.
Grass? Flowers? Humanity? Strife? All temporary. But not our God.