Photo be Maxime Raynal 2015 |
We tend to think of reality as the sum of our physical
existence, past experiences, and future plans. In humanistic and philosophical
terms, this is reasonable, for we are to a large extent shaped by our past
experiences. Educators speak of “nurture plus nature,” or how our environment
and genetics interact to predict our behavior, health, achievement, success,
and a variety of other outcomes. And, as the saying goes, those who do not
learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
And there is no denying that our future plans have a
dramatic effect on our present actions. Our goals influence what studies,
training, and work opportunities we are likely to pursue, and even what
relationships we are likely to seek. Our anticipation of what lies in store,
whether good or bad, greatly affects how we spend our time and resources in the
present.
Announcements of life-changing events in the near future have a profound
impact on our priorities, whether we learn that we are about to have a
grandchild or that we are likely to die in six months from a terminal illness.
But as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8) who have placed our faith in the death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), there are truly only two realities in the time
spectrum: this very moment, and all of eternity. And the same goes for all of
us, saved or unsaved.
The past is not something we can change nor a place we can
inhabit. We can get caught up in memories of good times or guilt-ridden over
prior mistakes, but we can only change their impact in the present moment by
adjusting our emotional response and asking God to release their hold on our
life through His peace (Philippians 4:7;
Isaiah 26:3). Once we are in Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and His
compassions are new every morning (Lamentations
3:22-23).
If we are in Christian or other service, we cannot rest on our
laurels and point to how we used to serve God in the past. In theatre, the
adage is that you’re only as good as your last performance. Conversely, our faith in the shed blood of Christ has removed us from our sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10)
as far as the East is removed from the West (Psalm 103:12). If He has forgotten our transgressions once
we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 61:10), why should we dwell in them? It is a lie of
the devil (John 8:44) to
confront us with past sins and convince us that we are therefore of no use to
God and His kingdom.
The future should have no more hold on us than should the
past. How many people stop enjoying the present, refusing to take vacations or to
spend more time with their family now because they are working to secure their
retirement and enjoy these experiences then? But sadly, they often find that an
unexpected illness or loss of a loved one deprives them of fulfilling that
dream.
In the Scripture example of the wealthy man who planned to
build more barns to hoard his accumulated possessions, so that he could live
comfortably for many years, Jesus called him a fool for not realizing that he
would lose his life and his soul the very same night (Luke 12:16-20). James warns us that our life is but a vapor,
vanishing like the exhaled breath before our face on a cold day, and that what
happens tomorrow depends totally on the will of God (James 4:14-15) and not on our own plans (Proverbs 16:9).
In contrast, many worry about future threats at the expense
of enjoying the present. The world is increasingly overflowing with chaos,
confusion, persecution, natural disasters, wars, and rumors of wars, as Jesus
warned us would happen as we draw closer to the End Times (Matthew 24:3-14). Perhaps we are living under a Damocles’sword of potentially bad news with our next doctor’s appointment, bank
statement, or work memo.
But Jesus said that worry accomplishes nothing. In fact, it
is actually a sin because it demonstrates our lack of trust that God is working
all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Without faith, it is impossible to please God
(Hebrews 11:6). Jesus told us
not to fret over our physical needs such as
food or clothing, for he will provide all these if we seek Him first (Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 6:25-33),
and He knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8).
As our former pastor used to say, “Yesterday is history;
tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” For
each of us, the only reality along the continuum of time is the present moment.
We can’t relive the past, and we are not promised tomorrow, or even our next
breath (James 4:14-15). All
could change in an instant, as it did for Job despite his exemplary obedience
to God (Job 1).
But praise God, we do have this very moment to honor,
glorify and commune with Him! In all that we do, let us do it heartily, as unto
the Lord! (Colossians 3:23). Let
us redeem the time, for the days are evil (Colossians
4:5; Ephesians 5:16). Let us give thanks in all things, for this
is the will of Christ Jesus concerning us. Let us pray without ceasing by
making our life a living prayer, being constantly attuned to God’s will (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).
For those who have not yet trusted Jesus Christ, today is
the day of salvation! Put it off no longer, for even moments from now may be
too late! (2 Corinthians 6:2).
But in addition to the reality of this present moment, we
must face the reality of all eternity. God’s Word and man’s soul are eternal (1 John 2:17). Those who trust
Christ will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus Christ and their loved ones in Him (John 3:16; Luke 18:30; 1
Corinthians 15:22-57); those who reject Christ face eternal damnation
and torment in hell (Mark 3:29; 9:43-48).
Time as we now know it will have no meaning, for time will be no more.
For God, eternity stretches back infinitely and reaches
forward infinitely (Revelation 1:8),
yet “back” and “forward” are not appropriate terms once we are removed from the
timeline as we now know it. Time will stand still rather than marching on.
Before time began, God designed each of us to be His unique workmanship, to
fulfill His specific purpose (2
Timothy 1:9). He knew and knows all things, including who would accept
and who would reject His freely given gift of salvation (Ephesians 1:3-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:29-30).
And once Jesus returns for us at the Rapture, earthly time
will cease for each of His children. We shall live forever with Him and each
other in glorified bodies that will never age, sin, or experience sickness,
sorrow or pain (1 Corinthians 15:22-57).
In the meantime, may we live in the reality of this present moment – our only
opportunity to fulfill His will for our life – and in the reality of all
eternity.
God had a plan for each of us since eternity past. Knowing
that we will spend eternity future with Him, may we use each moment to store up
treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
and to bring others with us!
© 2018 Laurie Collett