Eternal value in the every day temporal.

This past month, life has brought us alongside many people navigating profound loss—whether emotional, physical, or material. We've also walked with those facing persecution for their faith. Through these experiences, I was reminded of the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the Corinthian church: to hold loosely to the things of this world, knowing we have a guaranteed inheritance in eternity.

It is remarkably easy to lose sight of the eternal when faced with the pressing demands of daily life. We get swept up in immediate needs and worldly struggles, which can distract us from storing up treasures in heaven or cause us to become bitter in the face of hatred and betrayal. Yet, we are called to use these very temporal circumstances to sharpen our focus on what truly lasts.

A recent event in our community perfectly illustrates this. A fire devastated one of the homesteads—a terrible tragedy in earthly terms. However, this temporal crisis created an opportunity for eternal impact. The community immediately rallied around those in need, providing clothes, food, and compassion.

Through this outpouring of support, the message of Christ was demonstrated in a tangible way. In the fire's aftermath, many from that homestead began attending church gatherings, and believers had a powerful chance to share their faith through acts of love. What began as a moment of earthly loss was transformed into a catalyst for eternal gain.

This serves as a powerful personal challenge: to view my temporary resources, trials, and opportunities through the lens of their eternal value, and to live from that perspective rather than being consumed by the distractions of the here and now. Here are a few practical considerations to assist us in meeting this challenge. 

Redefine the way we view our resources:

If we view our resources in terms of sustaining our needs and wants it will be just that, for our pleasure and survival. But if we view our resources as a means to an eternal end then the value is transformed beyond the here and now. Ask, how can I use my resources to be a blessing to other people this week?

Let the challenge be an opportunity:

In a world of constant needs it's easy to become apathetic and distance ourselves from the needs of others. One way to overcome this is by focusing on our worship of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:14 says that it is the love of God that drives us forward. We therefore need to fill ourselves with his love to love others. We love because we are loved. How can you make time this week to worship God?

There are many practical ways to refocus our attention on the eternal, the above are just a couple of examples to inspire you. My encouragement for you is to seek the Lord for your unique approach.

Coach U

Use the questions below to engage your heart with refocusing on the eternal. Like I mentioned above let the Holy Spirit guide you in what is unique to your context.

How can I use my resources to be a blessing to other people this week?

How can you make time this week to worship God?

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