In the past few days I have been reflecting on what really matters in life. When we think of this life, there are so many priorities, and then of course when we consider eternity our priorities are affected and impacted profoundly. What really matters in life when we consider eternity? Will we look back on our lives in eternity and wonder whether we should have prioritized our lives differently?
In our ministry we have made it our priority to win souls. We have been involved in many charitable projects, and outreaches, but I challenge myself with the thought, ‘what is the point of giving a person everything they need physically and then they enter eternity without a saving knowledge of Christ?’ We believe in showing the love of God in practical ways to precious unsaved people, but it always needs to be with a view to making sure they have their ultimate spiritual needs addressed and met; the salvation of their eternal souls.
In the movie Schindler’s list, Oscar Schindler saves 1,200 Jews from the death camps by employing them in his factory. When the war is over he looks at his expensive watch and says ‘this could have saved one more.’ He looks at his fancy car and says ‘this could have saved more.’ The realization hit him that human life is more precious than anything else in this life. That he could have done more.
Jim Elliot was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador. He said “He is no fool who gives way he cannot keep, to gain which he cannot lose.” Jim sacrificed his life to win unsaved tribespeople to Christ because his priorities were driven by eternity. He was willing to give up the temporary to gain what he couldn’t lose – the eternal.
Jesus addressed this issue of temporal versus eternal things in Matthew 6:31-33 when he said “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Jesus is saying in effect, ‘you be focussed on prioritizing your life with eternity in mind. There is Kingdom business that needs to be taken care of and as you take care of it, I will take care of you!’ Today I want to encourage you to take an inventory of your life and ask yourself whether you are living your life in the light of eternity. Life can burden us with so many cares, troubles and concerns, but I want to encourage you today to live your life in the light of eternity!
