James 4:14 (NIV 1984) "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
When illness arrives uninvited, as it has to several people in my circles, we fiercely grasp at hope not wanting our last breath to come prematurely to us or to them. When death's door knocks close to home, like it did in our community recently, the brevity of life hits us like a fastball. These realities cause us to pause and reconsider the value and temporal nature of life.
An eternal mindset produces an eternal impact.
An eternal mindset knows that a life surrendered to Christ lives for Him to further His kingdom, not their own. You know what, if we're not living with eternity in mind, then we're not really living as Christ desires. It's time to scrutinize the busyness of our lives, the commitments we have and the choices we make. This life is merely a prelude to the grand symphony to come. Eternal impacts transcend time not just today. Living with the Kingdom of God at the forefront of our minds enables us to make decisions that reflect an eternal mindset.
A temporal mindset produces a temporal impact.
A temporal mindset can't see past today and the immediate pressing needs in life. If we live for ourselves we are bound to get spiritually stuck. We have to resist the hum-drum, going-through-the-motions of life and be intentional to make eternal investments. To break free from a temporal mindset we must loosen our selfish chains and recognize our purpose for living. When our purpose collides with God as our driving force, we will launch past a temporal mindset to a greater eternal perspective.
- How are we living?
- What are we living for?
- How do we spend our time?
- Seriously, does what we do even matter in the scope of eternity?
An eternal mindset produces an eternal impact.
An eternal mindset knows that a life surrendered to Christ lives for Him to further His kingdom, not their own. You know what, if we're not living with eternity in mind, then we're not really living as Christ desires. It's time to scrutinize the busyness of our lives, the commitments we have and the choices we make. This life is merely a prelude to the grand symphony to come. Eternal impacts transcend time not just today. Living with the Kingdom of God at the forefront of our minds enables us to make decisions that reflect an eternal mindset.
A temporal mindset produces a temporal impact.
A temporal mindset can't see past today and the immediate pressing needs in life. If we live for ourselves we are bound to get spiritually stuck. We have to resist the hum-drum, going-through-the-motions of life and be intentional to make eternal investments. To break free from a temporal mindset we must loosen our selfish chains and recognize our purpose for living. When our purpose collides with God as our driving force, we will launch past a temporal mindset to a greater eternal perspective.
Life is but a breath . . . a mist . . . a vapor. This is an inevitable reality we face.
James chapter four instructs his audience not to live as if they are in control of their lives or as if they know their future and have so many tomorrows. Instead, we are to realize that our knowledge is limited and God is in control of our tomorrows. The gift of today should prompt us to live intentionally.
You've heard people say, "Make the most of life." A well intentioned statement, but cliche. We make the most of life, when our life makes the most of Christ! ( Care to Tweet ? )
James chapter four instructs his audience not to live as if they are in control of their lives or as if they know their future and have so many tomorrows. Instead, we are to realize that our knowledge is limited and God is in control of our tomorrows. The gift of today should prompt us to live intentionally.
You've heard people say, "Make the most of life." A well intentioned statement, but cliche. We make the most of life, when our life makes the most of Christ! ( Care to Tweet ? )
Trust me, I've had to answer some tough questions in my own life recently. To better reflect the eternal impact I desire to make I've had to evaluate how I'm living. Seriously, some things I do don't even matter, but I want to invest in what does. Honestly, it's not just a 'wish,' or a simple head nod, 'yeah, yeah, someday I'll do that.' Nope. This has required me to weigh several A or B choices - both are good, but which one is God's best for His purpose and plan for my life.
Eternal or temporal? Which mindset are we cultivating? It is imperative we live the impact we want to leave. Who's in?
Eternal or temporal? Which mindset are we cultivating? It is imperative we live the impact we want to leave. Who's in?
Heart Work:
Temporal or eternal. What mindset is driving your life?
It is also wise for us to evaluate how much is at stake for Christ followers and those who don't yet know Him.
It is also wise for us to evaluate how much is at stake for Christ followers and those who don't yet know Him.
Heart Exam:
Why is it important to consider the legacy you are establishing? What will the pages of history say of you?
Compare and contrast the difference of eternal and temporal impacts. How can you realign your life to have an eternal mindset?
Compare and contrast the difference of eternal and temporal impacts. How can you realign your life to have an eternal mindset?
What will you leave in the hearts of your loved ones?
Heart Transforming Word:
Psalm 39:5 (NIV 1984) "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath."
Psalm 102:3a "For my days vanish like smoke."
Psalm 144:4 "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow."
2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Hebrews 9:27 "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
Copyright 2013 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.
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