So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

Most of us probably remember the saying, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” from the book of the same title by Richard Carlson. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes an even deeper truth clear. There are three things that make up the big stuff in life. Everything else is temporary. Our accomplishments, our financial health and our position in this life only last for a little while. In fact, if we would go back to the beginning of this chapter, we would find that Paul even lists things such as, giving away everything we have to the poor or suffering a martyr’s death in flames are things that pale in comparison to God’s love. When life comes to an end, only three things will fit into our heavenly suitcase. Only faith hope and love will be carried into eternity. The times we prayed for a lost loved one or neighbor as we clung onto our hope in God’s promises, the fearful steps into the unknown that we took by faith because we trusted God knew best, and the loving words, actions or prayers that we gave even when we weren’t being loved in return: will be the only things that God will allow us to carry beyond the Pearly gates. Everything else is small stuff. May the words of C.T. Studd in his poem, Only One Life guide and fill you with God’s faith, hope and love today, because that is big stuff indeed!

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.