Session 19

We don’t have to wait for eternity

From Letters of Paul: 30-Day Bible Study

Summer sunsets are the best. As the light slowly fades, brilliant oranges and bold reds paint the sky with color and texture that’s hard to ignore. Sunsets after a thunderstorm capture cotton candy hues as clouds hastily escape in a dusky glow.

Psalm 19:1-6 describes the skies as God’s handiwork, day to day pouring out speech and night to night revealing knowledge. As we admire God’s painted skies, we can’t help but stand in awe of the artist responsible for this marvelous work.

Just as remarkable sunsets draw our eyes upward, our lives on Earth can do the same for those around us. We are also God’s handiwork, and the way we carry ourselves reflects His nature to the world.

This is why Paul tells us to set our eyes “on things above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

We have a new self, an eternal one made in the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). And this new life doesn’t start when we die. Eternal life begins when we meet Jesus and continues in heaven when we see Him face to face.

When we’re focused on what will matter in eternity, it changes how we live right now. Everything Paul calls us to is uncommon in this world — giving thanks; encouraging, forgiving, and loving others; showing compassion and humility.

Setting our eyes on things above changes our focus, our priorities, our decisions. Our lives start to reflect the beauty of Christ and point others heavenward, just like that summer sunset.

Reflect:

• When was the last time you noticed God’s nature in your everyday surroundings? Take a few minutes today to praise Him for the beauty all around you.
  
• As you go through the day, ask yourself, “Will this matter in eternity?” How much of your day to day changes when you’re setting your mind on this above?