Anne Graham Lotz believes she will see the return of Jesus in her lifetime. She might very well be right, although only the Father knows the day and the hour when He will send His Son back. Even Jesus doesn't know when that time will come! (Mark 13:32.). But it certainly seems like the "end times" prophecies are starting to fall in place.
I was telling Matt about all of this a couple of days ago, and the thought came to my mind: If I knew Jesus was coming back in the next 15 or so years, what would be most important? I thought about the money I'm putting into my 401k, the investment property I'm planning on buying with my sister, the vacations I'd like to take, the anxieties I have about doing well in my work, ... all those things that fill my mind daily that seem so important.
When I thought about these things in light of Christ's return, though, they all seemed so small and insignificant. My perspective was drastically altered. What am I doing now that will actually matter for eternity? was the question I kept asking myself. Trying to be fiscally responsible is important — even biblical — but it's not my sole purpose on this earth. And neither is being the best employee ever.
I read a book once where a Christian woman was telling the story of her near death experience. She said that when she died momentarily on the operating table, she saw Jesus face-to-face, and when she did, her first thought was, Why didn't I do more for Him? It wasn't rooted in self-condemnation or painful regret but in a deep longing and love for Jesus. That stuck with me. (Even if you're not fully convinced that people have gone to heaven and have come back to tell about it, you can likely resonate with wanting to do more for Jesus, and not wanting to feel like you wasted your time here on this earth when you see Him face-to-face, right?)
It's hard to keep focused on eternity because the present is what seems to matter most. After all, it's all we see and experience. And even though we're supposed to be thankful for the day we're in and not worry about the future, God's Word does tell us to live in light of eternity because doing so gives us perspective on what really matters. For example, Paul calls our trials here light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17). This doesn't mean the suffering we experience isn't painful, and that we can't grieve or mourn loss. But what it does mean is that in comparison to eternity — and to the eternal weight of glory suffering produces in us— our trials are like a blip on the radar. Being eternity-focused will help us keep a healthy perspective of what actually matters in the present.
Peter gives us an idea of the things that matter:
“Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.”
Prayer, love, hospitality, service, speaking words of God, giving glory to God. These are the things, Paul says, we should devote our time and energy to while we wait for Jesus to come back. These are the things that matter most. So, ask yourself today: What would I change if I knew Jesus was coming back in my lifetime? Allow the Lord to bring some perspective to the things that consume your thoughts. Are they what really matter most?
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