Living with an Eternal Perspective

Jesus was the sort of person who gave His followers deep spiritual truths in a gutsy package. He was able to do this because even as the spotless Son of God He had spent thirty years in Nazareth, living with His mother and father, growing up a village and learning a trade along with many others. In other words living the same life as us with all of its joys, trials and heartaches. In the process He became fully human as well as fully Divine. But He came to us with wisdom born of God and a totally new way of thinking and living. He showed the world that there is infinitely more to life than merely learning how to cope with it. But He also knew that in the business and troubles of everyday life, how easy it is to forget that we are not merely human beings having a spiritual experience, but eternal spirits experiencing a brief humanity.

I remember seeing an inscription on a gravestone in the Caribbean something that has stayed with me for twenty years. I had been out there recording and managed to get the Sunday morning off to go to a local church. During the morning, I was pleased to be invited to share lunch with a Bahamian family in their home. After the meal we then accompanied the lady of the house, a recent widow, to visit her husband's graveside. It was there I read the inscription:

"Remember man, as you pass by
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so will you be
Remember man, Eternity"

As a young Christian I was stunned by the poignant power of this poem and fascinated by the thought of this man of God still active for his faith, even evangelising from the grave. The poem struck me with its message and later on when I became 'occupationally challenged' I remembered it. I found it very helpful at that time to get my eyes off my problems and concentrate on the purposes of God in my life.

Later on when being interviewed for Radio Kent about my faith I was almost lost for words upon being asked the question "You have been a world class musician playing to thousands of people, but now have become a pastor of a local church - don't you think that is a bit of a waste?" But it turned out to be one of those glorious Holy Spirit inspired moments and I found myself able to answer "My musical gift is temporal, and when I die it will die with me, but Jesus' love operating in peoples lives through our ministry will remain for an eternity."

There is much more to our existence than merely learning how to cope with life!

Jesus said "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matt 6:19-21

DAVE MARKEE