Keeping an Eternal Perspective on Life - Ecclesiastes 1-3 and II Corinthians 11:16-33
Life is difficult for everyone. Bad things happen to everyone. There are challenges for all of us. If a person tries to find the meaning of life in the things of this world, it will only bring discouragement and depression. That is the theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. When Solomon said that everything under the sun is vanity, that is what he was saying. However, he did realize there was more to life than the things of this world. He told us that God has put eternity in the hearts of all people. He also told us that we all will have to give an account of our lives to the Lord. Why do we have to do that? It is because life here in this world is not about now, but it is about eternity. We find the real meaning of life in doing things that impact eternity. Solomon said it well. We should not let the things of this world get us down. We should enjoy this life, but always keep our eyes on what God is doing. What He does is lasting. That is where we find the meaning of life. That is what I call keeping an eternal perspective on life. Life is not about you and what you need today. Life is not about material things. Life is about preparing us for eternity. It is about coming to know God and growing in Him through every experience of life, the good and the bad. Life is about helping others prepare for eternity. As long as we keep that perspective, we can live a fulfilling life. If we get that out of focus, things will go downhill quickly.
Think about what Paul was saying in II Corinthians 11. He was encountering opposition in the church at Corinth. People were basically calling him a worthless fool. He had been through so many difficulties in his life, too. Look at that list of beatings and shipwrecks. A person with an earthly perspective might have just given up and committed suicide. What kept Paul going? How could he deal with all of this pain and rejection? Paul lived for eternity. He lived to know Jesus and to do His will. He lived for the time He would stand before God and give an account of his life. Then, he would be able to affirm to His Lord in person that had fought the good fight, and he had kept the faith. Do troubles get you down, or do they make you rejoice in the eternal things? When you lack earthly things, does that depress you, or can you focus on what you will have for eternity in heaven, because of Jesus? There is a huge difference between having an earthly perspective and an eternal perspective on life, and it makes all the difference in the world. It makes life either depressing or worthwhile. Each of us can choose his or her perspective. I pray that we will choose the eternal perspective and be ready to stand before the Lord one day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ecclesiastes 4-6 and II Corinthians 12.
Think about what Paul was saying in II Corinthians 11. He was encountering opposition in the church at Corinth. People were basically calling him a worthless fool. He had been through so many difficulties in his life, too. Look at that list of beatings and shipwrecks. A person with an earthly perspective might have just given up and committed suicide. What kept Paul going? How could he deal with all of this pain and rejection? Paul lived for eternity. He lived to know Jesus and to do His will. He lived for the time He would stand before God and give an account of his life. Then, he would be able to affirm to His Lord in person that had fought the good fight, and he had kept the faith. Do troubles get you down, or do they make you rejoice in the eternal things? When you lack earthly things, does that depress you, or can you focus on what you will have for eternity in heaven, because of Jesus? There is a huge difference between having an earthly perspective and an eternal perspective on life, and it makes all the difference in the world. It makes life either depressing or worthwhile. Each of us can choose his or her perspective. I pray that we will choose the eternal perspective and be ready to stand before the Lord one day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ecclesiastes 4-6 and II Corinthians 12.