Eternity Mindset
Lately I've been thinking a lot about my mortality. Turning 45 reminded me that I'm halfway to 90, and it made me question what I've done with my life so far. Things didn't happen the way I thought they would. I didn't end up in the career I pictured or with the person that I thought was "the one". I don't have the money I hoped to at this point in my life. I haven't traveled around the world or even seen the Grand Canyon. To be honest, this all makes me a little sad (except the husband part..I'm very blessed).
But there always seems to be another bill to pay or another illness to treat, and dreams get pushed aside for another year. I start thinking maybe my life has been a waste. What if I never finish that book? What if I never travel? What if I die tomorrow?
Even being a Christian I think it is so hard for us to process an eternity mindset. Sure, I know I'm going to heaven, but I'm not ready to give up the flesh. I still want to see other countries and leave my mark on this world in the form of a book I've had published or something. I want my name to be somewhere that people will remember me. Today when listening to the sermon at church I realized a few things. One thing is that the universe is decaying. When you think of it that way and you realize that this Earth will not even be here forever then it doesn't seem so bad if your name doesn't go down in history. This is such a millisecond in time. When this Earth is gone, we will be living our blessed eternity with Jesus. If we can just escape that feeling of having to hold on to this world so hard we will realize that a kingdom mindset will produce fruit that goes with us.
If I lived in a home that I knew was going to be demolished tomorrow I wouldn't spend any time decorating the walls or leaving my mark. I would pack up what I could take with me. Money that I have invested in the house by remodeling or painting or gardening are things I may have enjoyed at the time, but they won't go with me. They stay in that house and they go down with it. Anything I work for in this earth that does not have to do with the kingdom will be destroyed and go down with the ship so to speak. But those things that I have invested in God's Kingdom will go with me. The friends that I've witnessed to or brought to church and they heard the gospel for the first time...that homeless person I showed kindness to that planted a seed..the pregnant teenager I loved and accepted that finally has a church family for the first time ever. Those are the real treasures that can go with us.
There is a difference between knowing something and really feeling it in your soul. Today was a turning point in my spirit.
We are headed for chaos and disorder. I am thankful my Jesus made a way for me to live forever in peace with him when the world is no more.
Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved in the fire, and the earth and its works will not be found.
1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
But there always seems to be another bill to pay or another illness to treat, and dreams get pushed aside for another year. I start thinking maybe my life has been a waste. What if I never finish that book? What if I never travel? What if I die tomorrow?
Even being a Christian I think it is so hard for us to process an eternity mindset. Sure, I know I'm going to heaven, but I'm not ready to give up the flesh. I still want to see other countries and leave my mark on this world in the form of a book I've had published or something. I want my name to be somewhere that people will remember me. Today when listening to the sermon at church I realized a few things. One thing is that the universe is decaying. When you think of it that way and you realize that this Earth will not even be here forever then it doesn't seem so bad if your name doesn't go down in history. This is such a millisecond in time. When this Earth is gone, we will be living our blessed eternity with Jesus. If we can just escape that feeling of having to hold on to this world so hard we will realize that a kingdom mindset will produce fruit that goes with us.
If I lived in a home that I knew was going to be demolished tomorrow I wouldn't spend any time decorating the walls or leaving my mark. I would pack up what I could take with me. Money that I have invested in the house by remodeling or painting or gardening are things I may have enjoyed at the time, but they won't go with me. They stay in that house and they go down with it. Anything I work for in this earth that does not have to do with the kingdom will be destroyed and go down with the ship so to speak. But those things that I have invested in God's Kingdom will go with me. The friends that I've witnessed to or brought to church and they heard the gospel for the first time...that homeless person I showed kindness to that planted a seed..the pregnant teenager I loved and accepted that finally has a church family for the first time ever. Those are the real treasures that can go with us.
There is a difference between knowing something and really feeling it in your soul. Today was a turning point in my spirit.
We are headed for chaos and disorder. I am thankful my Jesus made a way for me to live forever in peace with him when the world is no more.
Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
Mark 13:31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved in the fire, and the earth and its works will not be found.
1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Lots to think about and pray about. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, and spot on.
ReplyDelete