How to Focus on Eternity

Published on 04/28/24 by Dr-Shirley-Cheng.

Eternity. This is what we should focus on, rather than what's passing away. But as finite and physical creatures, it can be hard to do so since we are affected greatly by what we physically sense. When we feel cold and hungry, it's not easy to ignore such sensation, for example. While we're not to ignore our physical circumstances, we are not to dwell on them but to look past them to the time of eternity.

"For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, WEB)

The apostle Paul and his partners lived by these principles. Eternity was the focus of the missionaries as they went through all the physical trials of life. They endured going days without food. They withstood beatings and whippings. Once in Asia, they were on the verge of death, believing that they might take their last breath soon, until Yahweh God rescued them and delivered them from death. No matter what they went through, what they felt, what was done to them, they persevered onward, with a focus not on what they saw or felt but on what they could not yet see: their future glory in the Kingdom of God.

The afflictions that the missionaries went through regularly were indeed severe, but in comparison to the good they produced, they were light in comparison. Paul saw the worth of such afflictions; such afflictions worked for them an ever-increasing weighty glory that's to endure forever. As Paul wrote in Romans 5, our sufferings, whether they be persecution like the affliction of the apostle or our illnesses, help us produce perseverance and a godly character. God uses trials of life to refine us, to make us as pure gold that's tested in the furnace. No one enjoys going through fiery tribulations, but knowing their value will help us endure them as Paul and his partners had.

Simply put, the missionaries focused on what they could not yet see (their future glory) rather than on what they could see (their fiery afflictions). This is because what can be seen is only temporal whereas what cannot be seen will last forever. Something that is eternal obviously has the greatest value, so eternity is what we should focus on, instead of on temporariness. When we go through hard times, we are to press ahead and keep our mind on our future glory. Our troubles are not to stay forever. They are passing and will be memories of the past.

The missionaries focused on eternity because they relied on the One who is true to His word: Yahweh the eternal God. Yahweh has a faithful track record. He fulfilled all the promises in the past. Since He never changes, then He remains faithful forever. Therefore, we can fully count on Him to fulfill all His wonderful promises regarding our resurrection and everlasting inheritance. Just as He resurrected Jesus the firstfruit from death, so He will resurrect us unto eternal life in the future.

Hence, the key to focusing on eternity despite our circumstances is to focus on the Eternal One: Yahweh God Most High. He is who makes eternity possible for us. He has justified us through our faith in the Lord. He has forgiven us of our sins. He has set us apart as His own people by sealing us with His Holy Spirit. He is continuously sanctifying us to conform us to His Son's image. He is protecting us from the evil one so the devil won't get a hold on us. He is perfecting and refining us in the trials of life. In the end, when Jesus returns, He shall glorify us by resurrecting us and giving us our eternal inheritance. Hallelujah!

Come, Lord Jesus!