The annoying sound of the alarm clock blares in my ear. I drag myself out of bed and climb in the shower. After I dry my hair and choose my clothes from the closet, I glance in the mirror. �Ugh... Is that what I really look like?� From that moment, my morning revolves around how I felt about that image I saw in the mirror. Or maybe it was not the image that morning in the mirror, but the reflection I saw as I walked toward a glass door at the entrance of a building or in the computer screen. I�m sure that I am not the only one to which this happens. Slowly, I have learned to fix my eyes not on the image I see in the mirror, the glass door, or the computer screen, but the image that I am in the eyes of God. What exactly is an eternal perspective? Take a moment to look into the future with me. Imagine what your life might be like if God allows you to live 60 years for now. Let me set the stage... Your children are grown. You have four beautiful grandchildren who delight in calling you Grandma. You are retired from your job. You have seen good days and bad days. Sweet memories of weddings, graduations, births, and other happy memories bring a smile to your now-wrinkled face. Are you imagining with me? One last element, you are on your death bed and reflecting on your life. Close your eyes and take a few more moments to reflect. Now let me ask you a few questions. Will it really matter what size you wore when you were 15, 20, 30, 45, 50 years old? Will it really matter what number the scales said? How about your grades? Will it really matter whether you made a 4.0 in college? What about that C on the test you took that just devastated you? Bear with me... a few more questions. The designer clothes and shoes were a major reflection, right? I am sure that the new car and the nice house were things that were at the top of your reflections. Am I right? Ok... I think you get the point. Hopefully, you were honest enough to realize that none of these things will matter in the end. I�m not saying that having any of these things are wrong, but they certainly are not the main elements of an eternal perspective. Paul spoke of this eternal perspective in Colossians when he wrote, �Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth� (3.2 NASB). Sister, I realize how difficult this is to live. When the bottom falls out and the stresses of everyday life come crashing down, I struggle to keep my eyes focused on eternal things rather than the earthly. However, it IS possible to accomplish this. Paul would not have written this command if God did not desire for us to strive to live in this manner. Relying on God�s strength and meditating on His truth are the keys to unlocking the door of an eternal perspective. In the mornings instead of letting that image in the mirror get you down, how about thanking God for another day to enjoy and glorify Him? How about remembering that your body is His creation that He formed with great delight? Try reminding yourself that each day is a gift from God. Ask God to keep your mind focused on what is truly important in life-the eternal things. Instead of getting bummed out about that test grade, how about reminding yourself that God does not demand perfection? I challenge you to ask yourself through out the day this question- �When I stand before God will this REALLY matter?� |
| What Really Matters? |