Eternal Perspective
As we all know, the things of this world, also known as temporal, or temporary things are useful while we are on earth, but after we leave, they will be of no use to us. They will be rubbish. Precious gold will be gravel in the New Jerusalem. (Rev 21:21)
As we live on this earth however, in order to stay alive, we must continue to use at least some of these things, such as food, clothing and shelter. The challenge presented to us it to keep it all in perspective, realizing that our time on this earth is short, and we must not become entangled in these things. It is a challenge to keep our minds on eternal things, the things which will last forever.
We will not want any of the temporary things of earth once we are in our eternal home, the New Heaven and New Earth. (Rev 21:1) In fact, we are not even given that option.
A computer creates something known as “temp” or temporary files, which are all files ending in .tmp. Do a search for *.tmp on your computer, and you will see how many you have. These are files that are useful for a short time, but quickly clutter up your computer if you don’t take time to delete them. The things of life are the same way. They clutter up our lives and snuff out the important things if we don’t make an effort to keep the proper perspective. Just as our computers need to be serviced with regular deleting sessions, our drawers, garages, and brains need to be cleaned out from time to time, to make room for the eternal treasures of much greater worth.
This lesson on eternal perspective is something that God has been trying to teach to me for years, and especially in the last year or so. I would like to share with you what he has brought me through, and also some of the Scriptures that God has used to break the hold of the temporary on my life. I still have so much to learn, and have to keep reminding myself by going back to these Scriptures. Much of this is straight out of my journal, from the Spring of 2002, when I was really struggling. I will share that story in a minute.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value.” (Phil 1:9-10, NIV, AMP)
Read that verse again. It is so important. Wow.
I have just recently started trying to buy and resell antiques and thrift items on eBay. One thing that I have learned from this is the importance of knowing the value of items before I buy them for resale, so that I can make a profit. It is important that I know what items have real value, albeit temporary, verses items that are just plain junk, that nobody wants. If I don’t learn what has value and what doesn’t, I waste my time and money.
It is even more important that we keep in perspective the infinitely greater value of eternal things such as God, unconditional love, and people, and keep that in proportion to the things that only work for this earth. This takes wisdom and discernment.
The point is not that you are more spiritual if you live in a cave with nothing but a spoon, but that you need to be constantly growing in knowledge and depth of insight, as the first above says, so that you can keep it all in perspective. Then hopefully, one day, you will get to a place where if you are stuck in a cave with nothing but a spoon, you will still be happy.
A friend once told me about an article in a magazine which showed pictures of families standing in front of their homes, with all of their possessions in a big pile next to them. It was a study in different cultures. They selected families from various countries, occupations and social positions. It was interesting to view how happy the families appeared, compared to how much stuff they had. One family had only a pan to cook food in. That was their only possession. Yet they were very happy and content with their cooking pan.
Whenever we move and take all of our junk out of our house to try to cram it into a little moving truck, I am reminded of this verse: “… a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Isn’t that the truth! The things we save! Why? I know I could get by with so much less. Having many possessions does not always make us happier, and it is often a burden. We should strive to hold onto only what we need, and share the rest with others.
Another favorite verse that helps me get back on track is this:
“…For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1: 17-19, NIV) What an awesome verse. How true!
Here is the story I promised to share from my personal life. In the Spring of 2002, we decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Part of me wanted to move, but I was anxious about the habit my husband, John and I were developing of moving once every year. This would be our 3rd move in just 3 years of marriage. I did not like this pattern. I was scared. I started to worry that we would never settle down, never buy a house and never have stability in our lives.
But I knew that John really wanted to move so, trying to be a good wife, I decided to go to God and to Scripture instead of whining to my husband and insisting on having my way. And God showed me that I was in the wrong. He showed me that my motives were earthly and selfish, particularly from the following verse:
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1 - 4 NIV)
When I realized that I needed to change my attitude and stop worrying about earthly, temporary things, I had peace. I remembered, as a friend of mine has said, “God didn’t put us on this earth to become homeowners.” I had to realize that it really didn’t matter if we never owned a home. Then seven months later, God took care of that desire of my heart anyway, and my husband bought us a house.
God also reassured me that he was well aware of not just my needs, but my desires and that everything I needed, physically, emotionally, he would provide.
“All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.” (Psalm 38:9 NIV)
“Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34: 10b NIV)
“The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (Proverbs 19:23 NIV)
He knows all of our needs and wants, and desires to bring us good things.
The result, now that we have moved is that God has taken care of us. He has provided for our needs in more ways than I had even hoped for. We bought a house sooner than I thought we would, John has a better job, which he enjoys, and we have great friends! But the best part is the what God taught me and the peace it brought into my life by changing my perspective. And this is a lesson that we all have to keep re-learning throughout life as we grow in knowledge and wisdom and depth of insight. (Phil 1:9-10)
Verses located with the help of Bible Gateway
