Seeking What Does Not Wear Out, But Lasts Forever in Jesus!

In 1994 I was fishing for king salmon on the Little Susitna River with my brother, Stephen, who was visiting Alaska from Florida. We floated down the river in a canoe and, with help from a friendly fellow fisherman, hooked into a BIG fish. This king swam back and forth, taking line. We could not get it to the surface, so we patiently waited to tire the fish to land it. Then . . . I heard a loud ‘click.’ The plastic bait-casting reel I had brought from Florida 3 years earlier popped a gear. The line went slack and the fish got off. That reel, meant for smaller fish, had already caught quite a few king salmon, but now it was worn out!

My friend, Dave Nufer, taught me about fishing for kings. Among other things, Dave used a better fishing reel than I did. He used an Abu Garcia 5500 C3. It was made in Sweden and engineered well. The C3 was made of metal, not plastic. After the failure of my plastic reel, I bought two of these better quality reels in the early to mid-90’s.

The reason I’m telling you this is because my Abu Garcia reel now seems to have “worn out.” I went fishing out of Seward with friends on August 21. The reel worked pretty well that day, but it had a whining sound. The local Mat-Su Valley reel repairman has moved to Oregon. So, I tried to clean and lube the old reel myself. I have accomplished this service on a number of similar reels in the past. But, this time I ran into a problem. The ’brake’ on the reel is a metal arm with a circle hole in it. The hole fits over a brass post. The brake is supposed to be perpendicular to the body of the reel. When it is working correctly, this arm, or brake, engages some gears and stops the reel from spinning backwards. However, on my reel the brake no longer sits perpendicular on that brass post, but is loose, and sort of leans in a downward direction. It does not engage the gear, and does not stop the reel. I guess even metal parts wear out after 30 years.

As I thought about my fishing reel, I also realized that Kathy and I are facing other similar issues. Since I’ve been home to Alaska, we have replaced a hot water heater, an over-the-kitchen-sink light, and paid to have our clothes dryer repaired. However, it is not just our home which needed repair. During our time in Alaska this summer we planned check-ups at our doctors. But the two of us have had multiple visits with our dentists, our eye doctors, and my dermatologist. We only had to visit our family doctors once each, but have still been in touch after our primary visits. I guess as we age, though we do try to care for ourselves, even our bodies ‘wear out.’

Where can we find something that lasts? What can we count on in this world? Where can we find something that will NOT wear out? Because our world is corrupted by sin, Scripture teaches that we live in a world where things wear out. “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.” (Isaiah 40:6-7) But, the LORD, nevertheless, is unchanging. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

In the New Testament Jesus acknowledges that sin has brought death and decay into our world and into the lives of the children of our Heavenly Father. Nevertheless, admitting the fading worth of this world, Jesus points us to what lasts. “19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Spiritual treasure, the blessings of heaven, do not fade. God’s truth from 1 Corinthians further confirms what DOES last. “13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

The reason spiritual blessings from God do not wear our, is because the Lord Himself is eternal. Listen to the Old Testament. “6 "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6) The Lord and His grace are unchanging! In the New Testament we are reminded of the One who is the ultimate eternal. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

In Jesus, our Lord does give us what LASTS and does not wear out. “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) By Jesus’ death on the cross He overcomes the sin which causes our lives and possessions to wear out. By Jesus’ resurrection He gives what does not wear out, eternal life in heaven. This is especially comforts me, because I know 2 young men, and 4 elderly ladies who recently left the decay of this life, for the eternal blessings of heaven.

As I worked on my fishing reel, and then spent money on a new one, after having spent money and time on home repair and doctors, I asked myself, “Where do I spend most of my time? Where do I spend most of my resources? Do I spend my time and resources on the fading, wearing-out, things of this world? Or, do I give attention to the Lord who does not change? Do I work on my relationship with Jesus?” Isaiah teaches, “8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” I want to spend quality time in the Word of God. In fact, JESUS is . . . THE Word of God. (John 1:1-3, 14) Jesus gives what does not wear out!