How an Eternal Perspective Shapes Our Present Living

Let's face it—we are chronically self-focused. Our gaze is usually turned inward, and we evaluate and engage everything through the lens of personal impact. In seasons of suffering or bouts of difficult emotion, our vision is narrowed even more. But in Christ, our mind and heart are being transformed, renewed in the image of our Creator. A big piece of that sanctification process is growing in developing and nurturing an eternal perspective, so that our affections and purposes come into line with God's. We need our lives to be shaped by God's promises.

Eternal perspective has become a pervasive theme in what God has been teaching me lately. And the more I learn and grow, the more clearly I see how having an eternal perspective shapes every aspect of our present living. Here are just a few examples of areas that are impacted:

Suffering: We are given hope and comfort in the midst of suffering and grief. We are motivated to persevere and surrender.
Focus: We lift up our eyes and take the focus off ourselves. It cultivates a heart of humility.
Spiritual Growth: We are motivated to know God more and walk with Him daily, and to put off sin and grow in sanctification.
Purpose: Our priorities are reoriented to focus on God's purposes. We recognize that life is a gift to be stewarded rather than a competition to gain all we can.
Work: It changes our perspective on work and ministry. Everything we do is fueled by the ministry of reconciliation that has been entrusted to us.
Fear: In the face of anxiety, we are led to trust God and rest in the peace that He gives. This life is fleeting, and the pain and hurt is temporary. God is bigger than the things we fear, and we stand in reverent awe before Him.
Identity: Our story is enveloped in God's, and all glory goes to Him. He redefines and reframes our identity.
Relationships: We are motivated to pursue reconciliation in our relationships. We let go of offenses more quickly and remember that relationships are for Him, not for us.
Love: Our affections are loosed from earthly treasures, and our heart is fixed on our Father who has so abundantly loved us. We are devoted to Him above all else.