We get tied up in anxious knots over everything under the sun because we lose sight of the one that is truly in control of all of our days here on Earth. We so easily make idols out of our interests, goals, political affiliations, families, bodies, successes, money, and the list goes on! Basically, we can start worshiping the temporary more than the eternal at the drop of a hat.
Hebrews 13:14 says, “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.” This truth is fundamental to the Christian faith. It’s a recognition that things are not how they ought to be on this Earth and that we have a hope that lives past the grave. We can be comforted in knowing that the best is yet to come!
How quickly do we forget this to be the truth? We get tied up in anxious knots over everything under the sun because we lose sight of the one that is truly in control of all of our days here on Earth. We so easily make idols out of our interests, goals, political affiliations, families, bodies, successes, money, and the list goes on! Basically, we can start worshiping the temporary more than the eternal at the drop of a hat.
The reminders are all around us that we are made for more than this life, we just have to pause and take note. The older we get, the quicker the days seem to pass away. We watch our kids, loved ones, and our own bodies start to age. No matter how many years we have in this flesh, it’ll not be enough. Death will come just as quickly as our sudden births ushered us into this world. This is an uncomfortable fact that no human can avoid, no matter how busy we are, how important we become, or how entertained we are; the great moment of truth for each living soul is death’s door.
The most recent pandemic brought death to the forefront of our everyone’s minds. The result was mayhem, unrest, and widespread panic. We were not ready for another reminder that this world is temporary, that we are called to live with eternity in view. But we must remember, because as soon as we forget we lose focus on all that God has called us to as righteous ones.
Peace Is Found When We Accept That the Best Is Yet to Come
As a new mom, I was riddled with anxiety because the ushering in of a new, very fragile life was for me a confrontation with the reality of my own death. What was harder to accept was that the child I loved so ferociously came with an expiration date that I could not know nor protect them from. Panic stole my joy. I had not yet realized the gravity of the reality that this is not my home. I one day had to pass through death’s door, to go through the great unknown, in order to make it to my forever home.
I began to wrestle with God. I didn’t give up on him, but I internally railed against the lack of control I felt over my own life, death, and the safety of my family. Until one day a quiet whisper reminded me of the age-old gospel truth that death has been swallowed up by my King. God saw the injustice of being born to die and created a path that creates hope for those of us still living in this sin infested wasteland. He loved us so much that he gave his son, so we would not perish! He showed up in the flesh so we might believe and follow him.
I still wrestle because the unknown is scary, but now I can talk back to my fear. I can tell it that the best is yet to come! Heaven exists on the other side of death’s door and it’s the place my soul was actually created for. I have yet to taste true contentment, joy, and love because sin lives in me. When I enter the place my Father created for me, sin will have no place anymore, and joy will take the place of all the unrest that plagues humanity.
Live with an Eternal View
Hebrews 13:15-16 goes on to say, “With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name. Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to him.” These are our instructions for how to live in light of eternity. While here, in our temporary home, praise God! Share of his wonders and love with everyone we know. Do good. Bring Heaven down the Earth. Help those in need. This brings joy to our Maker.
While we are given breath in our lungs we are also given purpose by our God. We are on assignment to shine God’s light into this dark world. We can walk by faith because we are firmly rooted in an existence that sees Heaven as our ultimate destination. Our lives are to be lived for his glory, and the true religion that sees those in need and loves them is to be central to our lives.
Today I reached into the back of my cabinet to grab my cheese grater, and I pulled a muscle. I quickly lamented that this body is not my home. My body is slowly failing me, as new aches, pains, intolerances, and limitations come into view with each passing year. While I can grow frustrated with the discomfort my body often brings, it is a reminder that this flesh is a tent. It’s meant to move on, forward, and one day will fade away. My soul is just resting here until the day I am called home. For some reason this softens the blow of the quickly passing days, the grays that are taking place of my once blonde locks, and it is a tangible reminder to me that even though I can’t stop the evil that looms around me, I can trust in my Redeemer to make beautiful things out of dust.
Take time to attend to the ways you’ve let the temporary superseded the eternal. Meditate on how God is calling you to trust him to write a story that moves us from glory to glory – how our lives are to be a reflection of Him. We are made for such a time as this to show this world that this is not our forever home.
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