Functional Obsolescence

Someone recently purchased the house at the end of my block, tore it down, and is now constructing a GIANT house. The other day we drove by and Jorge commented, “That’s a perfect example of functional obsolescence.”  Well, being the curious person that I am, I immediately looked up the definition: Functional obsolescence in Real Estate pertains to a property not complying with recognized utility. In other words there are features that are not practical or desirable. (http://massrealestatenews.com/functional-obsolescence-in-real-estate/#sthash.g0lBt3dQ.dpuf).

All the features of this house are probably desirable except one: Location. It doesn’t really match the other houses in the neighborhood, and the asking price is outrageous.    

I don’t understand the reasons for whoever is taking that real estate gamble, but I do understand the term “functional obsolescence” a little better now, and I think that in spiritual terms, it perfectly describes the future of the hope we have in Christ.

The very real and life giving “feature” of hope is that we believe that everything the Bible teaches will actually happen.  And it’s not wishful thinking like “I hope the Dolphins win,” or “I hope it doesn’t rain today.” There’s no guarantee that we South Floridians will have a winning football team and/or a rain free day anytime soon.  The kind of hope we have is based on fact, or as someone once said, “Hope is a sure anchor of the soul.”

Soon enough everything we ever hoped for will be ours.  All suffering, tears, trials, and troubles will give way to being with our Lord in paradise. Once that happens we no longer need hope – it will be obsolete! And once we are enjoying ourselves nonstop with Jesus, what else could we possibly desire?  Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding us that some things will no longer be necessary in the future. Until that time arrives, we allow the hope we have, which is based on fact, to be an anchor for our soul – something that keeps us steady in the storms of life.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!