By Grace Through Faith

Been reflecting a lot on how incredible eternity will be in comparison to life on the earth. Even though we experience many wonderful highs and joys in this lifetime – moments where we may feel on top of the world – it does not measure up to the fullness of joy we will experience when we finally come face-to-face with Jesus.

However, when we experience the lows of life, we may wonder, “when will it get better again?” That day of longing starts to feel far in the distant, yet hoping it comes sooner than we think. Yet, we are not alone in those feelings.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. – Philippians 1:21-23

Recently, our pastor spoke about this verse, and it has still been a sermon I have been left with awe in. Paul spoke about how it was far better to be with Christ than it was to be on the earth. Within his ministry, he most likely saw many people or families who were hurt, lost, and weary. He saw people not acting the ways they should, which led him to teach the people righteous and holy ways that Jesus wanted them to follow. The exposure or the hurt and lowly probably caused Paul to become even more emotionally exhausted within his ministry work.

If we long to be in eternity, yet we are still on the earth with breath in our lungs, what are we to do? As a Christian, you might ask God about your purposes and the plans He has for you. You may wonder what you are to be doing on a daily or weekly basis within the highs and lows of life.

So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We must continue to press into hope with eternity in our minds. Usually, when my mind is zoomed in close on the present situations at hand, that may feel out of my control, I lose hope. I become doubtful. I forget about the far better day to come and what I am working for. I start to feel purposeless in my purpose.

However, Jesus meets us where we are and can remind us of the cross. The cross not only paid our sinful debts, but it finalized a way for us to be with God for all of eternity. It made a way for us to meet Jesus face-to-face on that far better day that is coming!! What a hope and a celebration that will be! Yet, we still have work to do now.

Looking at Paul’s life as an example with the longing he had to be with God, but he continued to press on by ministering and loving others around him. God still had placed him with the people around him for a reason, to grow the kingdom of God even more.

Think of the people around you who do not know Christ. How could you guide them and plant a seed to draw closer to God? Get to know Him. Who could you mentor or disciple in your life to build upon the church of God? Ask God to open your eyes and give you opportunities to share the good news and hope we have in Jesus. What a day of celebration it will be to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father! And a lasting impact our lives make now on the earth when we point people to eternity. Let’s be set apart, steward our lives to love others, build relationships with others, and direct one another to the love of our God.

With love,

Claire