"On Eternity"

eternity:  n.  Existence without end, infinite time.

I believe in eternity, a time without end which we enter into upon leaving this earth.  Not everyone does.  I was once shown a time-line.  Imagine, if you will, a line which goes as far as the eye can see, from East to West.  Imagine also, a sliver touching that line.  That is how much time life upon this planet we call Earth shares in the whole of time.  Minuscule, in comparison, is not an adequate description.

When I was a little girl I would strain my brain, as though it was a muscle I could flex, trying with all my might to envision eternity.  How can there be time without end?  It is beyond the comprehension of our finite minds, regardless of one’s chronological age.

As I grew older, I found myself questioning the why of things—pain, suffering, heartache, circumstances beyond anyone’s control which affect an individual or a family for a lifetime.  We all have our own listings, filled to capacity, with more questions than answers and zero understanding.

When questioning my Creator about one such incident, the words Eternity is a long, long time passed through my mind.  In that one comment I understood--to a very limited degree, but I did understand.

God is a God of love.  Contrary to the publicity waged against Him, He does not have a single mean, cruel bone in His being.  His one desire is to have a relationship with us, His children and creation.  When difficult situations occur in life, we make the choice of either turning to Him, on Him, or away from Him.  He doesn’t gain pleasure when our lives become difficult; He does want to be given the chance to be part of them.

We human beings are stubborn, self-sufficient, independent, hell-bent creatures.  When we continue on in our own, merry way, doing things on our own, ignoring Him, His choices become limited.  Often He is left with “If there was any other way….”  Due to the length of eternity, He will do His best to get the attention of His children as there are no second chances once we have passed over.

In reality, He is the innovator of “Tough Love.”  All that He does comes from that base of love.  He cares and never wants any of us having to deal with the reality of waiting until it is too late. 

While returning from work today I found myself thinking about “the writing”—that is what I call this.  So much of what I lay out has a spiritual emphasis, as that is where and how I live my life, and my life is what I share.  Contemplating the gravity of the subject matter, I wondered--Should I try to lighten up the content, make it more appealing?  Once again, that thought passed through my mind:  Eternity is a long, long time.  The focus of the writing won’t change; it can’t, because it is my life.

My challenge to you is the next time you are faced with a difficult situation in your life, one which brings on the onslaught of question marks and doubt, consider it in the light that “Eternity is a long, long time.”  Ask for truth, ask for understanding.  You may be surprised.  Are you going to have all the answers to everything?  A resounding “No!,” but you just might see things from a point of view, a perspective you’ve never had before.

If any one of you do this, then I have done my job, that of opening up a door, pointing the way to God.  How long is eternity?  Eternity is a long, long time.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.”  Matthew 7:7

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