Tricia Mingerink’s young adult Christian fantasy series The Blades of Acktar contains a scene where the protagonist is forced to watch friends and family martyred for their faith. A fearful person, she was struck by the peace with which each martyr faced death. In a moment of clarity, she realized that these believers were not bound by their immediate circumstances. The fear borne out of her exclusive focus on the present melted away as she embraced a perspective of eternity in God’s presence.
The story of Stephen demonstrates a similar response to suffering. While facing a group of irate Jewish leaders, Stephen lifted his eyes to heaven and saw a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:54-56). His joyous proclamation of this sight drove the leaders into such a murderous frenzy that “they rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him” (Acts 7:57-58).
But this assault didn’t cause Stephen to take his eyes off Jesus. “As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ He [then] fell to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’ ” (Acts 7:59-60). Even when facing his own death, Stephen was able to follow Jesus’ example and intercede on his murderers’ behalf.
When Jesus said we should “seek the Kingdom of God above all else” (Matthew 6:33), He was challenging us to move away from an exclusive focus on the here and now. In seeking God’s kingdom here on earth, we prepare our hearts for the eternity beyond and understand that the present reality does not have the final say in our story.
May we adopt an eternal perspective as the Holy Spirit helps us see all of life through God’s eyes and heart.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 5:1-16
More:
Read Colossians 3:1-4 to see Paul’s appeal for a heaven-shaped perspective.
Next:
What do you think about the transition from life, as we know it today, to eternity in God’s presence? How does this perspective affect the way you live now?
ericjohnallas on June 28, 2017 at 4:59 am
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
We should keep looking to Jesus Christ, Fixing our eyes on Him and His kingdom keep walking with Him and with the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4
[18]So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Galatians 5
[16]So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Ephesians 5
[1]Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
2 Corinthians 5
[7]For we live by believing and not by seeing.
remioyedele2015 on June 28, 2017 at 9:43 am
Hello Eric,
Thank you very much for sharing these passages! I am always both challenged and fascinated by 2 Corinthians 4:18 and the truth that life as we know it is about so much more than what we actually see. It is very easy to get so immersed in what’s right in front of us that we lose sight of what is happening behind the scenes. Thanks again for this reminder; I pray that it will remain at the forefront of all our minds and heart.
Be blessed,
R
ericjohnallas on June 29, 2017 at 3:58 am
Thank you also we compelled by the love of our Lord Jesus it is so good to share His Unfailing Love.
May The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
don777 on June 28, 2017 at 5:39 am
I have a relationship with Christ Jesus here & now every day, not just for heaven one day. My relationship started when I was saved & grows as i send more time with Him. Like any relationship the more time you spend with that person the more closer you get. It is a choice on how close you want to get to know any body. Just as it is with Christ. (free will) +>i
remioyedele2015 on June 28, 2017 at 9:47 am
Hello Don,
You are so right – the seeds we sow with our time and relationships here and now determine the harvest we will ultimately reap. As we learn to walk with Jesus, growing in Him daily, we draw closer and closer to the eternity He has prepared for us in His presence. May God help us to make the right choices (and sow the right seed) today.
Be blessed,
R
Gary Shultz on June 28, 2017 at 5:45 am
Hi Remi: I am thankful for the years when I didn’t acutely notice the fading of the physical; however, charged by strength and health, I was much less reliant on God. With the waning of life, we strengthen the Spirit. Stephen was so focused, he saw the transition begin to happen. As many people say, I’m not afraid of death, it’s the uncertainty of getting there. What dedicated child of God’s does not want to get home. Even Christ did get home, but the path was horrid, even to consider. Although, beatings, crucifixions, and the conditions Christ endured are not associated with death in the modern world, pain and suffering is not always absent. We may not have to be stoned, but we may have to consider how we will face suffering. I ask that I will be a testimony, even if required to endure for a lengthy time. God is still able to care for the suffering, in death or not. May our focus be as clear as Stephen’s, our eyes on our Lord. Thanks Remi.
remioyedele2015 on June 28, 2017 at 9:50 am
Amen, Gary!! Thank you so much for those beautifully heartfelt and encouraging words; I pray the same for all of us in Jesus Name.
Be blessed,
R
pilong56 on June 28, 2017 at 5:42 pm
I often do believe that Stephen had to risk his own life even as well as for Jesu Christ who already had sacrificed his own life.,meaning to save his own people from sin.I often do
believe that there’s a always a new beginning. Sincerely,
Bobby.Park the son of the late pilong56