Theme:   Blueprints for a Better Life - Begin with the End in Mind

Read: Colossians 3:1-7

Think: I don’t like thinking about “the end” and I don’t love talking about it like we did at church Sunday much either. I have been accused once or twice of living my life with blinders on… or like an ostrich with my head in the sand. If I don’t see it then it’s not real. Right? Ok, not so much…

We all know that doesn’t work… ignoring the truth or not thinking about what makes us uncomfortable doesn’t make it go away. But when it comes to thinking about death, (my own in particular) I get a little squeamish. Not because I’m afraid, I fully believe in heaven and that my faith in Christ assures that I’m going to go there! What makes me squirm is that I really haven’t accomplished what I’d have liked in this lifetime for the Lord… I haven’t done what I’ve aimed to do because, well, I’ve gotten distracted and let other things crowd out my priorities.

In the movie Gladiator, Russell Crowe plays the part of General Maximus. There’s a great scene where he is stirring his troops to be ready for the looming battle against Germania. He gives the big motivational speech challenging them to give their best… and He makes this amazing statement: “What we do in life echoes in eternity.”

Read that phrase again… It’s a pretty powerful thought for those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ. In our lifetime we are not just existing… taking up time and space on a giant rock floating in space. We are here, in this specific time in history and in this designated piece of geography to make an eternal difference with our lives. But that only happens if we live with the end in mind…

There are a couple of ways I’ve set out to get back on track living with this mindset: Jesus Himself said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20). My prime pursuit isn’t for things… for more stuff… for more perishable items… But for that which will last well beyond this lifetime!

The other piece is from today’s reading, setting my mind “on things above”! (Col. 3:2). A good way to begin is to re-discover what it is that God values. Throughout the Bible, God reminds us that He values people above possessions and our character above our performance. Those are the truths that will shape how I spend my time, my resources and my energy. I again am reminded that there are people who need to know about Christ, people who need to be cared about, people who have to have someone to help them grow in their own faith. That’s why I’m here… and that’s stuff that outlasts this lifetime.

Do: Do a little self assessment: What adjustments might be needed to your perspective to make sure you are living life in light of eternity? As you look at today’s to-do list, what “tasks” can be classified as eternally significant?

Pray: God, I know each day is a gift from You. Help me not to waste a moment of what I have left here on this planet. I want to make a difference in this world... for You! Help me to live with eternity on my mind and in my heart. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.