The Power of an Eternal Perspective

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal -2 Corinthians 4:18. Through this text God invites us to take on an eternal perspective. An eternal perspective is seeing the events of our lives in the light of eternity. God’s Word teaches us that eternity starts now. The lives we are living now impacts our eternity and that of others. The principle is the same as childhood and adulthood. The experience of our lives as children and adults are much different, but we are the same person. The decisions we made and the experiences we had as children have profoundly influenced the lives we are now living as adults. In the same way our lives on the new earth will be different than our lives now, but profoundly influenced by the life we are living now.

God’s Word teaches living with an eternal perspective brings power for living well into our lives. One way this happens is when we face trials. From the perspective of eternity any trial we can face in this world, even if it lasts decades, is short. For some of us this applies to others we care about. There may be someone we care about whose life is limited by a disease. As Christians we know God always heals. Some are healed in this life, all will be healed in the resurrection. An eternal perspective also helps us sort through what is trivial and what is significant. So many things culture says are significant are trivial in light of eternity. Only living for the will and purpose of God matters. An eternal perspective also helps us take risks for God. Without an eternal perspective it is easy to choose the comfortable and safe option. But when we realize every day our lives are being spent for eternity, whether spent wisely or wastefully, we are prepared to take big risks for God. My prayer for each of you this month is that as you spend time in God’s Word God will cultivate an eternal perspective in your heart.