I am fascinated by old, abandoned farmhouses, cabins, and mines. No two are alike.
Between Clearwater BC, where we once lived, and the nearby city of Kamloops is an old farmstead on a bend in the North Thompson River. (not the one in this image). It’s a beautiful sight in its way and ideally suited for taking some great river pictures.
Unfortunately, it’s posted land, and a busy corner of the highway, so there is no going in to explore. It never fails to capture my interest. Part of the land is still used for hay, so it isn’t totally wasted, but I wonder what happened to the original owners.
Perhaps they were successful and built a newer, bigger home and barn. Perhaps they lost the property during an economic downturn. Perhaps aging parents couldn’t keep up, and the children weren’t interested. I can only speculate.
When I pass an old church, long abandoned or repurposed, I often wonder what happened to the people who built it and loved the Lord. Did they move on? Did they lose their zeal for the Lord? I guess I’ll find out in glory.
I sometimes wish the old buildings could talk. What would they tell us about the people who lived and worked there? What happened to them? What did they leave? What hopes and aspirations did they have?
Unfortunately, the buildings don’t talk, and we are left to guess. Sometimes land title records or other documents can tell us some things, but the real human history has been lost.
All of that’s interesting enough, but what does that have to do with our faith?
The reality of life is that it’s finite. Billions of people have come and gone throughout the history of life on this planet, most of whom will never be remembered beyond a generation or two.
Some people spend huge fortunes erecting monuments to their names so that they will be remembered after death. Even the great monuments people built eventually succumb to the ravages of time.
Yet there is promised hope beyond the pale of death. Believers will be with the Lord forever and will be known to Him. The good works done in His name will be remembered and celebrated. The future isn’t nearly bright for non-believers who will suffer eternal torment.
The treasures we value so much will vanish. Yet we gain so much more in the end.
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
If you want eternal monuments… pray for the salvation of your offspring for generations to come. Love your neighbors. Tell them about Jesus. Follow Christ.
The things of Christ endure, and what wonderful stories we will have to share with each other that bring glory to God.
Be blessed
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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More about living the Christian life and treasures that wont be left behind
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
