1 Corinthians 4-7

I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.‭‭ (1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:29-31‬)

The refrain to a 38 Special song comes to mind:

Just hold on loosely
   But don't let go
If you cling to tightly
   You're gonna lose control

I don’t believe Paul the Apostle means for husbands to neglect their wives, nor that he intends bereaved people to forswear their grieving. Likewise, I can't bring myself to believe he wants happy people to "put a lid" on their joy, nor that he teaches entrepreneurs to reject best business practices. It's unthinkable to me that he is urging the Corinthians to become otherworldly.

I do believe Paul's advice echoes the song's refrain: "Hold on loosely." In other words, recognize the inevitability of change in ourselves and in the world around us. Make wise use of familiar forms, but make no mistake about them. They are not eternal, just because they are familiar.

God alone is eternal, therefore cling tightly to God.