When the media tells us what we should do, commercials tell us what we need, and posters tell us how to look, it is easy to get fixated on the expectations of this world rather than the eternal statutes of God. We often find ourselves striving after material possessions to compete with others and boost our self-image. But when we are outdone or our possessions are outdated, we often seek more to satisfy our renewed desire. In the timeline of eternity, however, all these things are just temporary and we should not strain ourselves in pursuit of them. Author and Eternity Bible College Founder Francis Chan uses an analogy to illustrate our time on Earth and our perception of eternity.
In his analogy, Chan uses a rope with a small piece of red tape on the end. The long rope is imagined to go on for eternity while the small piece of tape on the end is only one-to-two inches long. He tells his audience to imagine the rope as a timeline of their existence. The small red part is their current life on Earth while the rest of the long white rope is their eternity after this life. His analogy definitely helps put eternity into perspective.
As Chan points out, the way we live our life now while on Earth will determine how we exist for eternity. “I'm going to be like a runner just looking at that moment when I face God,” Chan says, “because when I face Him I don't get this chance over again. We get one chance at this life on Earth and it could end at any second for any of us - and then comes eternity.” Why then would we focus so much of our time and effort dedicated to acquiring comfort and possessions in this life that are only temporary? This is analogous to how the Psalmist describes life as but a “breath” (Psalm 39:5).
Furthermore, Chan demonstrates that the apostle Paul strained with all his strength towards the priceless reward of Christ. Paul exclaimed, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Our objective in this life is not to store up material possessions and please ourselves, but rather to strive toward God and His statutes. Jesus tells us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6: 19-20).
Like Paul, let us strive for what is above so we too can receive the “crown of righteousness.” Jesus tells us that, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If our treasure is Christ, our hearts belong to Him, and therefore our eternity.
