We’re Already Living In Eternity
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
-- John 17:3
When does eternity begin? I guess I’d never really thought of it. Sounds strange I suppose. Eternity is, well, life in Heaven. Right?
Yes -- and so much more. Eternity begins when we first believe. Jesus Christ defeated death so for those of us who belong to Him, we won’t die. Oh our bodies will, but we won’t. So, for us, we’re already living in eternity.
Now that it’s clear, how does that impact your life? Does that refocus your day to day decisions and reorder what’s important and what isn’t important? Does knowing you’re already living in eternity make problems seem less severe? Does time seem easier to find for those things, those people, who are truly important?
Because if we’re already living in eternity, that car that just cut you off in traffic doesn’t seem so important. In eternity, small aggravations take on a new meaning. They don’t matter. People matter. Loving those around you matters. Taking time to do good. Those things matter in eternity.
So how about another question: Do you really see the people around you? Do you notice the co-worker whose smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes? Do you see the harried mother with two small children and a grocery cart with very little in it? Do you notice the homeless man at the corner? Do you reach out to the elderly neighbor that no one ever seems to visit?
Because when we start living our lives as though we’re already in eternity our priorities get reordered. We notice those who are hurting -- and we do something about it. Maybe it’s just a kind word. Maybe it’s taking time to listen. Maybe it’s extending friendship or an invitation to church or another activity.
Living in eternity means finding time for the elderly, the sick, the poor, those in jail, those in recovery, those who don’t yet believe. It is noticing all those around us the same way Jesus noticed those around Him while He walked this earth as a man.
It doesn’t mean we neglect our jobs or duties. In the early days, some believers thought it was okay to sit around and do nothing while they waited for Jesus to return. We aren’t supposed to do that. We’re to work and be productive and take care of those around us. God has a plan for our lives here on earth.
It’s just easier to truly see where He’s leading us when we understand that we’re already living in eternity.
No comments:
Post a Comment