Chasing Eternity (Part I)

Eternity has been on my heart as of recently. Usually when one hears the word “eternity”, this foreign, after death concept comes to mind, but I believe we can have a taste of eternity while here on earth, “on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:9-15), right? Ironically, it has been keeping me grounded in the present as God shifts my focus and desires towards things that are eternal. When I think about matters through the lens of eternity, things of this world seem almost pointless to put so much worry and concern in. This is not to say some temporal things are not important, but I have found that they lose some unnecessary weight that I have given them. They kind of drop down on the priority and “This really matters!” list. The biggest one I noticed are my friends.

My Friends

It is such a blessing to me that my core friends (like Jesus’s twelve), are my eternal friends. These are people who I will see in eternity! Friends who I will worship with in eternity, going through Heaven’s gates. Where we aren’t chasing worldly dreams, but eternal plans that the One True God has set forth before us and holding one another accountable to them. The way they pour into me, with eternal wisdom and knowledge that this world cannot give or take away. Friends who continuously lower me through a roof for eternal healing (Luke 5:17-20).

Future Desires

My desire for a husband has morphed from temporal benefits to an eternal gaze. Where I used to have worldly preferences for this man in addition to someone who makes me feel safe, secure, and will provide for me and who I can have a good time with (worldly wise), with an eternal lens I see that most of these are being met already by Jesus, so now I just desire someone who would run this race of chasing eternity with me (Hebrews 12:1-3). No longer am I concerning myself with temporal elements like race and physical stature, but of more important traits like his holy integrity, love for God and surrender to His will. Similar to my friends, someone who I will see beyond those gates of Heaven.  Not to say some of those traits are not still desired, but with a heart that is chasing God, those godly traits within him will be inevitable as a man surrendered to the transformative power of Jesus.

Even my goals and desires for a career and a husband are eternally focused. I am pursuing a degree that The Lord has called me to and the more I study, research and reconcile this field with my faith, I see it all as eternal gains i.e. providing others hope and vision towards reconciliation with their Creator, therefore giving them a renewed purpose and new identity. Stewarding my walk with Christ, continues His ministry work here on earth.

For this is not about temporal empire, but His eternal kingdom.

Through my obedience in on this academic path, He is transforming my heart and preparing me through increased confidence, boldness, conviction, and holy integrity for His greater mission for me. Nothing temporal in this world can ever prepare us for such an eternal mission.

Where is your gaze? Is it towards the anxieties and fears of this fading world or is it towards Jesus, the pioneer of our faith? Though His body was beaten and crucified, for the eternal joy set before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Let us take heart knowing this temporal plane will for sure have its troubles but Jesus has already overcome the world, promising us an eternal reward.

“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18