Winged time glides on insensibly and deceives us; and there is nothing more fleeting than years.
~Ovid (43 b.c.-a.d. 17)
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in The Gospels
Oh beloved, it is true. There yawns before us, a forever so much larger than we can ever begin to comprehend. Yet know it we will. There will be in that place a clarity we do not yet know (but have tasted in Him).
Knowing
Laughing
Dancing
Feasting
Real
Whole
Rich beyond measure
Free
Timeless
Strong
Loved
Powerful
Meaningful
Relevant
Creating
and partaking in the very Divinity of our Triune Creator.
Stop for a moment beloved. Stop and breath and contemplate this astounding destiny of the believer. We are to participate in the workings of eternity, in communion with the One who built eternity as His home. We are to party (most joyfully) with the One who is Love Himself. We are to reign over a new creation that has no end. We are to enjoy this new Life with Jesus, our Brother – Forever.
This is real. And deep eternity will not be long enough for us to fully understand what is before us. But, even now, within us – there grows a strength and Blessed Hope and vision and encouragement that overcomes the dull shadows of the cosmos we currently inhabit.
Even so, we mostly take our eyes off of the prize. And in doing so, we can do some of the silliest things. We trade:
Knowing Him for debates on doctrinal issues.
The belly-laugh of the redeemed for the stupid grins and giggles of the world.
Dancing in His Presence for trudging through this short life.
Feasting on His Word for starving on social media.
Truth for fleeting information.
Reality for individual opinion.
Wholeness for instant gratification.
True riches for trinkets and bricks and straw.
Freedom for rebelliousness.
Living in the present for time management.
Strength for depression and anxiety.
Love for bitter snippets of lust.
Power for division and political wrangling.
Meaning for popularity.
Relevance for fashion.
Creating for recycling.
And in all of this falling for the fallenness of the world we miss who we already are. We are the sons and daughters of G_d. What if we lived like what we already are? What might happen within the sphere of influence He has given us?
So, are you putting a little too much effort into building your life here on this fleeting lilypad of a life? Perhaps it is simply time for you to remember who you are. Eternity will play this truth out, and it is indeed vital that we learn our roles now for the That Day. Tonight is your night beloved. Time to believe in forever.
