Today I was challenged.
I went and helped a family that is moving down to Mexico. They are leaving the comforts of their home in the US and moving to a house out in the middle of nowhere. They don't have hot water, use electricity that comes from a generator and basically, are living without many of the things that we take for granted everyday.
In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter that I live a comfortable life? I was inspired today to focus more on what is to come - eternity. This family is moving down to Mexico to minister and to provide a place where other families can come down and be exposed to missions. They want to make the name of Jesus known. Their focus - eternal.
"If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought the most of the next." -C.S. Lewis
I have that quote printed up and on my bulletin board. I see it almost every day. It has profoundly changed the way I live my life. Years ago I didn't really live with an eternal perspective. I knew there was something more after death, but it wasn't something that motivated me or drove me as I made daily decisions.
In the last year, God has really impressed on my heart the importance of eternity and how I will only be given one life to live. Am I going to make my life count? Am I going to get to the end of my life and be completely satisfied with the choices I have made and the things I have learned?
P.S. I am excited because our church is starting at study on John Pipers book Don't Waste Your Life. What a challenge! I'm sure I'll be reflecting on it as I read through it and think about what it has to say.
2 comments:
Ann,
This post is so encouraging! We are experiencing a complete revival in our church - not planned but us! - and heard a sermon Sunday on compromise. The last of the message touched on the results of failing to give ourselves, our homes, and our possessions - everything! - over to God.
My conviction lately has run on the same line as yours. How sad that we as Christians become so focused on the temporal that we ignore and neglect the eternal!
I wonder: what's it going to take for God's children to start living as children of God?
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Brin
Bella,
I think of you every Sunday when we are in church as the pastor and his wife are missionaries here from the States...their experience here draws my mind to the beautiful ministry and special life you and your parents had in Spain...and it humbles me...
As I grow older I am becoming more aware of the significance of each day...as we grow closer to Jesus we realize how important our actions, our thoughts and our words are, how important our relationships are...Lately, I have been challenged to stand my ground against confusing opinions and perspectives...If we don't have His Word, if we don't have our communion with Him every day, if we don't live with the eternal perspective, then what do we do?
I pray that He will continue to enlighten your heart and bless your steps in your walk with Him...He has blessed my life so much through you!
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