I know there are probably only like 2 of yall out there now since I haven't posted in like 4 months. But i still appreciate the patronage, loyalty or whatever you wanna call it. I have been extremely busy with THE hardest college semester I have ever taken and have literally been writing and reading all semester. So, necessarily I dont gravitate to reading and writing in my free time because I am so tired of it, despite certain materials like the Bib-ul, the Reformation by Stephen Nichols, Radical by David Platt, The Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney and The Doctines of Grace by J.M. Boice and P. G. Ryken. Which I recommend all of them to you. But this has been quite a stray from what I want to write so, off to the races! (just an idiom, stay put)
So, through this difficult semester the LORD has taught me many lessons in the realm of discipline. And though, I know that this is actually a sign of His love and that I am his son (Heb. 12:7-11) it still hurts and is painful! But a truth that I have been struggling with when I am frustrated with my school work is "How important is this in light of eternity?" Or many of my friends when I vent to them or they hear me say something of my struggling encourage me with, "Think about eternity." And these are both great things to hear in the midst of looking at temporal difficulties or tasks, but does anyone else have trouble with thinking about eternity. I dont know about the rest of yall but I cant conjure up eternity in my mind as the comforting notion its supposed to be.
Upon hearing statements like these even in smooth or easy times I strive to focus upon this "thing" called eternity. I will let you venture into my mind for a few moments (although it may be scary) I instantly may see, with my mind's eye, a vast array of stars and galaxies that as I fly past them they just keep coming (yes, kind of like hyperdrive)! Well, this does nothing for me but exhaust me as I continue to fly through space seeing almost the same things over and over again! Much like the way the old movies did scenery behind a car driving in the countryside.
Or I begin to ruminate about being on the New Heavens and New Earth serving God forever. This would seem to be a great encouragement for Revelation 21:4 says that there wont be "mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore". Well, this would seem a glorious thought, and truly is when I can comprehend it. But the times when I can understand the notion of a painless, griefless, suffering-less, sinless and deathless eternity are when times are good or the road is easy. For when the pain, grief, suffering, sin and death stand assault me during the difficult days, my limited human mind cannot possibly get beyond this world! (Eccl. 3:11) But I dont have to. . .
Whenever I hear the statement "Just think about eternity, brother!" or "What does this look like in the light of eternity?", in my mind I should substitute 'Christ' for 'eternity'! NOW the statements become a tangible, understandable being that was manifest into this very natural world! For "He is the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15) and "in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Col. 1:19) so that we could see, touch, feel and know the ETERNAL GOD! And that this Eternal God though he was a "mystery hidden for ages and generations" (Col. 1:26) and unknowable to any man because of our sin and limited natures, has "now revealed to his saints. . . the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col. 1:26-27)
Now, this is Great News for us as we suffer and deal with pain! No longer do we have to conjure up poor pictures of eternity as stars, galaxies or perfect Kingdoms that mean little or nothing to us in moments of trial! For "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and not only did Christ live in a human body but "we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, FULL of grace and truth." (John 1:14) Please, brothers and sisters, if this doesn't excite you to perservere I dont know what will! For "he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death" (Col. 1:22) our "righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30) that we may spend ETERNITY with Him, the tangible, loving Savior!
Also, along with substituting 'Christ' for 'eternity' in the question, "What does this (present issue) look like in the light of eternity?" the answer is found in Revelation 21:23:
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." Therefore, this question is quite helpful. For to think of what circumstances, actions, trials or sufferings look like in the "light of Christ" is to see Him greater. For as the Hymn says,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his Wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
