But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him… Psalm 103:17a
In the storms of life – and particularly for us in this chaotic time – perspective protects us from becoming like the world. For example, the world would have us think in purely physical terms when our true nature is more spirit than body, for we are created in the image of God (something we addressed this last week).
An equally important perspective is our perception of time. Again, the world seeks to confuse and confine us with its limited view of the future. A. W. Tozer (1987) says it best:
“We who follow Christ are men and women of eternity. We must put no confidence in the passing scenes of the disappearing world. We must resist every attempt of Satan to palm off upon us the values that belong to mortality. Nothing less than forever is long enough for us. We view with amused sadness the frenetic scramble of the world to gain a brief moment in the sun. “The book of the month,” for instance, has a strange sound to one who has dwelt with God and taken his values from the Ancient of Days.”
From God’s perspective, our life is far more important than the world would have us believe, and for far different reasons. The world would have us avoid all discomfort. On the contrary, God creates and allows the storms and chaos of this life to prepare us for eternity.
That’s not to say that God does not have other intentions in our tribulations and afflictions (e.g., our correction and His glory). However, His purpose is also and always our transformation and maturity as eternal citizens of His kingdom.
Furthermore, what is true for us individually is true for the corporate body of Christ. More from Tozer (1987):
“The church must claim again her ancient dowry of everlastingness. She must begin again to deal with ages and millenniums rather than with days and years. She must not count numbers but test foundations. She must work for permanence rather than for appearance. Her children must seek those enduring things that have been touched with immortality.”
Thinking like the world inevitably conforms us to its image (Romans 12:2). Most of us were trained by the world to think like the world for at least twelve years, and many went on to bachelor and graduate degrees in worldly thinking. Consequently, we have worldly paradigms buried deep within our subconscious minds.
It is time we pushed back against the deceptions of this world and our carnal mind – and HARD!! Passing through the narrow gate and walking down the difficult way is not a passive exercise. We must strive to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Luke 13:24). The Holy Spirit waits for us to join Him in the work (2Corinthians 3:18).
God uses storms and chaos to our good (Romans 8:28). They force us off the fence, to make a decision. No more setting up our tents at the crossroad between conformity and transformation. No more loitering around outside the gate.
From this eternal perspective, storms and chaos are blessings from God. Without them, we might be caught by surprise – outside the gate and outside God’s will, at the end.
By the way, those of us with any age on us will know – and encourage the others – that the wise prepare ahead of the storm. Only the uninformed or foolish procrastinate in this regard.
And this is not a difficult assignment. Here’s one way to begin exercising your eternal perspective:
- Write the following (or something similar) on a 3×5 card: God created me for eternity.
- Keep the card where you will be regularly reminded of this truth (e.g., in or near your day-timer).
- Ask yourself as often as you can, “What does this mean in relation to my next meeting or activity?”
This practice will engage your mind in something the Scriptures call reckoning. Reckoning is God’s way for our participation in the Holy Spirit’s mind-renewing, transformational work.
It is no coincidence that the Holy Spirit is our ally against the deceptions, distractions, and discouragements of our carnal mind and flesh (Galatians 5:17). If we will allow, He will put to death the deeds of our flesh (Romans 8:13), including our turning to the world and its thinking in times of tribulation and affliction.
God bless you with time and grace to practice applying an eternal perspective to the whole of your life.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
Tozer, A.W. (1987). The Next Chapter After the Last. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: Wing Spread Publishers.