In the Spetrum of Eternity, Will This Really Matter?

With our fast-paced, consumer-driven, pedal-to-the-metal world we live in, it can be so easy to get caught up in the “living for the now” mentality and forget that there’s so much more to life than meets-the-eye. Here are a few scriptural references to help keep your mind focused and centered on maintaining an eternal mindset rather than simply “living for the now.”

“There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

Lately I’ve been catching myself constantly thinking about, worrying about, or even obsessing about certain things like work, buying clothes, or even what kind of people I should date (and the list goes on and on!) And while there certainly is a time for everything, I find myself repeatedly getting caught in the disillusionment that somewhere in the midst of those things I desire I will find true joy and fulfillment. What’s ironic is that it’s exactly the opposite is true. While material items may bring me a temporary joy; that joy is fleeting—it’s a pleasure that’s here one moment and gone the next. It’s when I pursue the things I think will make me happy, that I end up feeling even more empty than before! Only when I spend the time in pursuing and getting closer to God, seeking His will, plan, and purpose for my life that I feel truly fulfilled and at peace.

 

“I find myself getting caught in the disillusionment that somewhere in the midst of the [material] things I desire, that I will find true joy and fulfillment. What’s ironic is that it’s exactly the opposite is true.”

When I find myself worrying about certain things, or feeling overly concerned about something, I find it helps to take a moment and ask myself: “In the spectrum of eternity, will this really matter?” It certainly puts things into perspective! Many things I consider important and worth my time, money, and energy, quickly lose importance on my list of priorities when I consider them in relation to my time spent in eternity with my Creator. It also helps to re-focus your mind onto what matters by filling your mind with God’s word which reminds us there is so much more to life than just this human existence alone. Here are a few of my favorite verses when it comes to reminding myself of what it is that truly matters:

 

When you find yourself feeling stressed or overly concerned or worried about things in this world, take a moment to ask yourself: “In the spectrum of eternity, will this really matter?” I can guarantee your perspective will change!

“There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“Let heaven fill your thoughts, don’t waste your time worrying about things down here.” Colossians 3:2

“If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? … So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries of its own.” –Matthew 6:30-34

“Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all else will be given you besides.” Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31

 “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” -1 Peter 1:24-25, Isaiah 40:6-8

 

Many things we would consider of importance or worth our time, money, and energy, quickly lose importance on our list of priorities when we consider them in relation to our time spent in eternity with our Creator.