Keep Focused on the Important

1 Corinthians 25-32a "But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.  I would like you to be free from concern."

     Oh, Lord, these words could not be more for today if You had someone write it now!  These verses fall in the middle of Paul re-iterating what he basically said before about being willing to stay as you were when you received Christ as Savior.  Then You put these in the middle.
     Pastor Carl has been asking us to pray for the vision of our church and we have been reading Randy Alcorn's book "The Treasure Principle".  Lord, our society has such a materialistic, entitlement, discontented mentality.  We are so earthly minded...living and thinking that life will continue on as it is or will get better. You promise neither, Lord.  In fact as this was true 2000 years ago, it has intensified to our present time.  We are longing for what we don't have, wishing we didn't have what we do, wishing our circumstances would change, or praying that they don't.
      Lord, I know Your return is nigh.  Please, Lord, help me to live a contented, spiritually vibrant life in whatever situation in which I find myself; keeping my eyes on You and Your goal for my life.  Lord, I thank You for everything You have given and also withheld from me, as You know what is best for me.  I want to live free from concern!