Explaining Eternity
I have a gentleman who likes to challenge the pastor (me). He regularly attends Wednesday evening for Bible study and prayer, which offers a discussion format. Recently, he asked, "Pastor can you please explain eternity to me." I responded, "I could, but it would take forever."
Eternity is difficult, if not impossible, to illustrate. I have, time and again, heard preachers try to relate just how long eternity will be with stories that always end the same way--"This or that will be like one second in eternity." I have been guilty of using such myself.
The problem lies in the fact that you cannot use time to illustrate eternity because eternity transcends time. It's like saying, "I could hear the concern in his face." Or, "I could see the trembling in his voice." Since eternity can't be measured in time, it can't be illustrated in time. It will always contain more than the mere passing of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries, or millennia.
"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
What Is Your Trajectory?
The New Oxford Online Dictionary defines trajectory as “the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces” (n/p). The term is used of everything from ammunition to astronomy, but in its figurative sense can be used to speak of the law of sowing and reaping or cause and effect. There appears to be three elements to this definition: the path, the object, and the action of given forces. Apply this to a person’s life and the discussion takes on eternal significance.
- The path: Jesus teaches that there are really only two paths to take, “the broad way” and “the narrow way” (Mat. 7:13-14). Some have given no thought as to which road they are taking. Others convince themselves they are on the narrow way when an honest, objective look reveals it to be the other way. Some change roads, for good or bad. However, we cannot successfully argue that we are not on a path leading somewhere, whether the destination is “destruction” or “life.”
- The object: Friend, the object (projectile) in this path of trajectory is the individual. It is you and me. We are moving closer to our eternal destination every day. God created a never-dying soul within us (Mat. 25:46; Ec. 12:7). As it was with the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31), we will lift up our eyes in either Abraham’s bosom or in torment. That soul was precious enough to God to pay the highest price to ransom it (John 3:16), but we may choose to give it away by allowing the trajectory of our life to miss the intended target (cf. Mat. 16:26).
- The action of given forces: We are not helpless regarding this, but force implies pressure, resistance, and influence. The decisions we make, the people we allow to have influence on us, our choices, what we prioritize, and what values we establish become the forces moving us to the destination. It is seen in our attitudes, words, and actions.
The earlier we figure this out, the sooner we will make it our aim to do everything we can to head in the right direction. We can change paths, but the longer we are aimed at the wrong target, the harder we make it on ourselves to change course. This is true with our finances, our physical health, our occupation, our marriage and family, but nowhere are the stakes as high than as concerns our eternal destiny. Let’s give thought to the trajectory of our lives and be sure that where we are heading is where we really want to go.
Little Decisions
"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decision you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few monthlies later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of."
In other words, the greatest point of leverage you have on eternity is right now!
"For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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