I think about life,death,heaven,hell,eternity just about every day. I think about how fragile we really are. I think about how little control I really have over things. Sure to a certain degree I have control but seriously how much? And isn't that desire inherently opposed to God's plan for me? Does He want us to look for control? I don't believe so. Control of ourselves in certain areas, yes (our tounge, our bodies, etc) but outside of that He's looking for hearts who will passionately seek Him and forever know Him. He's looking for people who will allow His spirit to work in and through us. He's looking for people who will truly Know him as the incredible power that he is and will give him the authority he deserves in our lives. God doesn't desire me to 'do grea things for him'... he desires me to be on His team and do things as he leads. That obedience in itself becomes great.
The image above demonstrates something we don't often consider. Many people view eternity as if it begins where our heartbeat ends. Many Christians and non-believers are on equal footing with this thought pattern. You see, if God's word is only relevant for us for AFTER we die, then what good does it do us to spend this life soaking it up? This broken concept of eternity encourages us to sit on our hands and take the opportunity to Know God as an option.
As you think of 'eternal life' think about the fact that life that's eternal is NOW.
Much of Paul's writings are written as if Christ was returning within a week or two. We don't necessarily know how long Paul thought but it certainly wasn't 2005+ years. The urgency for people to live solely for Christ was amazing. Paul was a guy who really believed that eternal life was going on right then and that having stepped into eternity on God's team he wanted to adjust his priorities to match the urgency of living in eternal life.
We must stop looking at eternity as if it's a plank we're walking. The plank isn't this life and then 'real eternity' kicks in... Eternal life is forever behind and forever to come. Jesus said eternal life is that people Know God and Jesus Christ whom the father sent. Life in Heaven will be Knowing God and life on earth should be about us Knowing God as well.
My life is within the scope of eternity. If eternal life is all about Knowing God, if that's the central desire of God's heart, that He become known and glorified than I want my entire being to be wrapped up in Him.
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