As I looked at the goldfish cracker on the floor of my pantry, I reminisced about the tiny hands of my children and an earlier season in life. Though the fallen cracker was the result of a recent forage, the image made me realize how quickly time passes. As I dealt with sleepless nights, teething babies, and potty training, I would have been hard-pressed to believe that the end was soon in sight. The hands that once cupped goldfish crackers now grip a gym bag, textbooks, and an iPad.
The Author of what we call time, God, reminds us that He has always been (Revelation 1:8). Our days are numbered on this earth, while eternal life is what God has promised us (John 3:36). Living the dual existence of the eternal and the temporal isn’t always easy, as the writer of Ecclesiastes vividly relays in his musings on the meaning of life. In addition, when we deal with painful seasons, disillusionment can readily cloud our vision (Ecclesiastes 2:13-17).
In these times, however, we must hold fast to the truth that God’s knowledge extends far beyond our view. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” We don’t have to stay stuck in whatever difficult season is upon us. Likewise, when God takes us through rigorous times of training (James 1:2-4), we find hope in knowing there’s a finish line ahead.
Beyond living for the moment, we must be a people who patiently await God’s next move. We must let go of anger, give up stubbornness, and let go of yesterday. For, in the end, we will reign with the One who has always been and who always will be!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 11:33-54
More:
Read Revelation 21:1-7 and consider your current circumstances in light of what God considers to be the final, unending chapter for those who are in Jesus.
Next:
How can you balance the knowledge that your decisions have eternal impact with Jesus’ admonition to focus on today? (Matthew 6:34). How are you awaiting God’s next move for you?
Sarah C on August 4, 2013 at 12:32 am
I didn’t know what I was headed into but now, despite being unmarried and having no children, I know that, like Messiah, I have children Without G-d, there’s no connections anyway . Because I have Messiah, I have everything and everyone . He’d told me the Heavenly Hosts ( who, incidentally, are among us, Heb 12:1 c.f Rom 12:1, 2 ) , are praying for me . I believe I’d caught glimpses of them . In fact, because I acknowledged Messiah as the child I never had , He enabled me to provide, within my capacity for my parents . He’s the best Family anyone can have .
ehdlive on August 4, 2013 at 5:09 am
Indeed, we are living in this time governed by seasons. As Ecclesiastes reminded us (Eccl. 3:1), “There’s a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.” With this view in mind, the Holy Spirit enables us to cope up and unjust ourselves triumphantly in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves into, whether in times of pain or in times of feasting. Incidentally, we may not know what the future holds, but we can trust the One who holds the future.
ruth o'reilly-smith on August 4, 2013 at 6:54 am
I love the constant reminders that we can start over – the changing seasons, a new week, a new month or a new year – for me they all leave me secure in the conviction that ‘this too shall pass’ and I can grow through this. Wherever I’m at and whatever I’m going through, these beautiful reminders help me to focus on what God wants me to learn from and grow in right now.
stephenbabs on August 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm
I’ve got to check some things out;