- “So teach us to number our days / That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
- “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matt 6:33
- “We all want to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die” -Peter Tosh, Rick Holland, many others
- “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world [heaven] that they have become so ineffective in this.” -C. S. Lewis
The phrases above have all been echoing in my head and heart these past few weeks. Now, I’m not really one to string together random verses & quotations to find significance or create a point, but there has been an undeniable and consistent prodding by the Lord to confront both the brevity of life and the pursuit of the eternal. I appreciate that He hasn’t forced the issue (see #3), but the question presents itself: do I realize how short this life is? do I realize that it could easily be over today? that tomorrow I could be standing before the Lord giving an account for how I’ve lived this life He has blessed me with? does this realization motivate me to live accordingly? To pursue Christ-likeness…to long for heaven?
These questions are HUGE…and rather than give a bunch of explanations of how I fail to have an affirmative response to these questions, I think it’s better to share the convictions the Lord has placed in my head and the opportunities He’s put in my life, so that I might live as though Christ will appear tomorrow, that I might long for heaven. Note that some of these things are personal convictions that go beyond Scripture but are helpful reminders for me to live for Christ.
- God’s church is everywhere: I used to think that only Grace Church Christians (and associated ministries) had a deep respect for God’s Word, but the Lord’s been introducing me to more and more believers at the workplace and through friends who want to know Him more by knowing what His Scripture says. This is a great encouragement to me and really keeps one from being complacent at work & life. This realization constantly reminds me to live out my faith and be an encouragement to other believers. It’s also wonderful to know the unique and otherworldly bond we have with our spiritual brothers and sisters because of Christ, even if we have no prior history with one another. The bond is so unmistakable, in fact, that my non-believing coworkers will note the peculiarity of it–but should it be that surprising? We share with one another an eternal bond & hope, the most important part of our lives that governs how and why we live it.
- Expend yourself for the ministry: Being single, we have an abundance of resources (time+money+energy) that will elude us in every other stage of life. For many, this affords a great opportunity for selfishness, but the resources we’ve been given can also be used for the Lord. What if we saw these blessings, not as ours/belonging to us, but as God’s resources? We’d stop asking ourselves what I will do with MY time/money/energy and instead ask ourselves how we can best be spending His time/money/energy for His kingdom. This is a recent change in thinking and I don’t think I’ve got a handle on it quite yet, but I’ve been trying to be faithful to the opportunities God’s given me for Christ. It’s been a great privilege to serve the Lord in the places He’s put me and I’m amazed how He answers prayer, matures believers, and blesses me still.
- Family dinners: This past year, my family has gotten together every month for a dinner and Bible study. It is SO rich and wonderful a time that it literally brings tears to my eyes when I think on it. Being unified in Christ, rejoicing in His truth, sharing in His blessings, and reflecting on His great work in our lives is the nearest thing to heaven I’ve experienced on this earth. But you know what? There’s one great factor missing: the complete glory and presence of the Lord. Now, I can’t really fathom what that’s like, but all those comparisons Christ makes to treasuring heaven hold a lot more meaning than they used to.
If you can, please pray for and ask me about the things above, that I would be faithful to live them out.
Ted,
A blessing to hear your heart speak through your words. These are words we don’t hear in the brief fellowship we enjoy in 310 or Foundry, but are the deep desires of your heart. It is a privilege to ponder the joys and opportunities of this life and the heaven to come. Yes, deep sharing and true fellowship with the church and our family brings tears of joy and longing to “be there” moment by moment. To live in the light of Christ, having the fullness of the moment and how we might expend for Christ’s sake is where I want to be. I praise God for His Spirit in you.