An eternal perspective in the present world.

We live in the present. Our lives take place in the present world. 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the things of the past or the things of the future. We live with regret about the past and worry about the future. But what good is it? When we feel regret or worry, we have to experience the pain of that difficult situation one more time than we need to. 

The truth is that the only place God can bless us is where we are, because THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE WE ARE. God has already worked in the past and he is still working in the future…but the only place we can experience his work in our lives is in the present. Life was meant to be lived in the present. 

As we move through life in the present world, we must live with an eternal perspective. Our lives are so short compared to the whole span of eternity. Everything we do on earth is temporary. Our relationship with Jesus is literally the ONLY THING that matters. It is literally the ONLY THING that lasts. So if Jesus is the only thing that matters, why WOULDN’T we spend our entire lives serving him and telling others the good news of the gospel?! 

Life is not meaningless. It’s not just about “getting through” this life. Yes, our ultimate fulfillment will be in Heaven…but God placed us here for a reason. He has kingdom work that he wants us to do, right here and now. 

In the Old Testament, when Moses encountered the presence of God in a burning bush, God had to tell him to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. GOD HAD TO TELL HIM THAT HE WAS STANDING ON HOLY GROUND. How many times do you think we’ve missed the message that right where we are is holy ground??

You’re here. Right now, wherever you’re standing (or sitting or lying) is holy ground. Where you are right now is holy ground because GOD’S PRESENCE IS IN THE PRESENT. 

We were made for eternity, but we do live in the present. It’s okay to feel deep emotions in the here and now. It’s okay that this is hard. It’s okay to feel the weight of this moment. You are not guilty for feeling this way. As we move through this life, we have to learn how to be okay not being okay while looking forward to the hope of eternity with Jesus. 

Right here, right where you are, in the present, you can experience God. He is here and he loves you SO SO SO much. He wants you to know that he is the ONLY ONE who can love you completely. He is the ONLY ONE who can satisfy you. He is the ONLY ONE whose story matters. 

So love a little deeper. Laugh a little longer. Sing a little louder. Hug a little tighter. Speak words of life and love to everyone around you. And through all of it, proclaim HIS name. Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. To HIM be the glory forever and ever. 

AMEN.