I am constantly remindedthat each day on earth is one step closer to eternity. A good friend of mine recently called to say his mother was on the last leg of her earthly journey. The doctors had instructed my friend that it was time to call for hospice care and that his mother’s last days were here. As we both cried on the phone it really brought into focus the reality that we were created with heaven in mind—and that earth is really not meant or intended to be viewed as our home. While our temporal stay here on earth does provide glimpses of heaven to come it never really satisfies. At best, it is momentarily satisfying and a mere shadow of what is to come. In creating us, God has placed an internal homing device that constantly draws us heavenward. We are meant to be at home with our Heavenly Father in undistracted tandem with our Creator. No tears, the absence of death, purposeful work and accomplishment, unbroken relational unity (both with God and His creation), as well as never-ending hope, joy and peace…these characteristics all describe our heavenly home to come.
Paul reminds us to “set our minds on heavenly things” (Colossians 3:2). This does not mean we become so heavenly-minded that we have no earthly good, but rather, we must focus on and motivate our earthly efforts. We all need to have a daily dose of heaven to be optimally used this side of heaven. A heavenly perspective that affirms the reality of “what really matters” in life—making the main things the main things!
As I size it up, there are only two created things that will eternally last—God’s Word and His people (or His creation). So in my attempt to “lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust will not destroy,” I need to choose to invest my priority time and energy in those things that will span the chasm of eternity. How do I invest my time, talent and treasure in God’s Word and in His people today? I need to daily spend time with Him and in His Word, remembering that it is an investment in eternity and that the investment in His Word will be sent ahead. Secondly I need to build into, mentor and invest in the lives of people—both in sharing my faith with those who have not heard or responded to the “good news” and also by mentoring/discipling those who have responded to God’s invitation of forgiveness. Investment in people is another sure fire way to make a deposit in eternity. As we all know you take none of your earthly possessions with you. When your appointed day to die arrives you will not regret the choices you have made to invest in eternity. As my good friend and AIA board member Anthony Munoz reminds me, “Invest in eternity, because the return and rewards are really out of this world!”
Continue to walk by faith and trust God for those things, that when they happen, can only be attributed to HIM!
Bill |