Eternity, here and now

It’s one of those things where intellectually you are aware, but one day it hits the mark.  Like a lot of people, it’s easy to get into the mindset that “eternity” will happen then…somewhere in the future.  I’m not sure how it happened to me, but recently it did hit home - we are living in eternity right now.  Eternity doesn’t start with a physical death, it starts with conception.  Here we are in the midst of it, some working to make a living, some retired, some in school.  And in our free time, we’re shopping, watching TV, playing sports, etc…  Right now we are sitting, standing, walking or sleeping in eternity.  This earth is by far the short part of our journey home, and I ponder how we miss so much.  It makes me reflect on how much time I waste, stuff I don’t need and what really matters.  And I’m still distracted in knowing what God really plans for me.  Having lived over half of the average lifetime, it’s not always a calming thought.  However, there is this core feeling of peace, but I wonder, am I deceiving myself? 

By God’s generous grace, I have started relishing the time with family and friends.  The moving from one stop to the next, the getting from one place to another isn’t as important.  And when I hold my sleeping grandchild, I know that is where I’m supposed to be.  It’s the fleeting seconds of unselfishness, the momentary appreciation of the loves in life and God’s gifts that make us restless.  We know we should be focusing on eternity, not then but now.