Photo by Gaspar-Zaldo on Unsplash
It happened much unexpectedly. While having an online conversation, this question was raised?
The question is no longer “How do I make the most of my time before I run out?” It becomes “What do I want to build, become, or contribute—now that time is not a factor?”
The question came from a person whom I perceive does not follow Christ. Their premise was that humanity was living longer because of medical advances.
It allowed an interesting conversation, but prompted several questions in my mind.
Do you realize that humanity is designed to live forever?
In the Garden experience in the Old Testament book of Genesis, the removal of the man and woman from the garden was deeper than the sins committed.
“God said, “The Man has become like one of us, capable of knowing everything, ranging from good to evil. What if he now should reach out and take fruit from the Tree-of-Life and eat, and live forever? Never – this cannot happen!”
Genesis 3:22 The Message
There is a deep theological debate about this, and I am not entering into the fray; however, I am pointing out that God the Father’s intention for humanity is to live forever.
My understanding of the Genesis story is this.
Had fallen humanity eaten the fruit of the tree of life, we would be in an eternal state of sin, and God would not allow that to happen.
The salvation plan brought humanity back to God’s original intent, allowing us to live forever with him.
The garden sin gave humanity a choice, which means we can choose to live for eternity with God, or without him.
“That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
John 8:24 The New International Version
My next question is geared to Christ-followers.
Knowing we will live forever, what if time were not a challenge?
This will undoubtedly be the case once we step into eternity and the vast expanse God has created for us.
But, what about now, today, in this life, if time were not a challenge?
Let me qualify
This question is not an excuse to be lazy, late, or inconsiderate of others.
The wisdom of Solomon says:
“One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones, and then passed the vineyard of a lout;
They were overgrown with weeds, thick with thistles, all the fences broken down.
I took a long look and pondered what I saw; the fields preached me a sermon and I listened:
A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy – do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent houseguest!”
Proverbs 24:30-34 The Message
A disciplined life lends itself to a timeframe of doing certain things.
God’s promise for you is forever, so once he sets you on a course, you have all the time in the world to accomplish it.
I” am the Bread – living Bread! – who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live – and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood self.”
John 6:51 The Message
Here is what it means
As you commit your life to following Jesus and pursuing a path to draw closer to Him, the Holy Spirit of God identifies areas of your life that need to change.
1-Some changes are easier than others.
For instance, I am not a patient person by nature. Once something is identified, I want it changed now (and yesterday would have been better).
However, God rarely operates that way. So, SLOWLY I turn (think of moving through waist-deep Vermont Molasses in January).
It aggravates me some days, but slowly I am getting better.
If I had the mindset that time isn’t a factor, then whatever success I had on any given day could be celebrated instead of endured, because it wasn’t enough.
Since time is not a factor, it does not matter how long it might take, as long as I am moving forward.
2-There is no place for intimidation.
People like to intimidate, especially in religious circles. It gives them a sense of power, control, or authority.
If time is not a factor, you do not need to be intimidated because you did not measure up to someone else’s standard or expectation.
Your expectation is Christ in you, the hope of glory. What he does for you is sufficient.
3-You walk by faith.
Faith is at the core of a Christ-follower’s life.
It means the belief (and assurance) that God is (who He says He is) and will do (what He says He will do).
Without faith, you cannot please God, which means it must be in action in your life daily.
If time is not a factor, you only need to believe God today; there is no tomorrow.
So, right now, you are operating in believing.
Why it matters
It matters because eternity is real, and in eternity, time does not exist.
Your energy and efforts are only on today, because it is always today.
It matters because the pressure to perform is irrelevant.
You cease to “do” so you can simply “be.”
It matters because it shifts your mindset from temporary to eternal.
This challenges me because I was brought up in a competitive, performance-driven world (as a former pastor).
The reality is, we (humanity) will live forever. As Christ-followers, we will enjoy the fullness of God’s love and the richness of his blessings in our lives.
Many of the pressures we face today stem from living in a temporary mindset that presents us with endless challenges.
When we can shift our mindset from temporary to eternal, that shift is found sitting at the feet of Jesus.
I recall a few lines from a song that goes something like this.
In your presence, your holy presence,
Burdens roll away.
In your presence, your holy presence,
Troubles melt away.
For you do miracles, and you do wonders.
There is healing in your presence, Lord.
I pray you find yourself at the feet of Jesus this week, free from the temporary cares and struggles of this life.
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am grateful to everyone willing to follow along as I take it.