There’s a
piece of my calligraphy in our bathroom, where it’s been for many years in a
place where I would see it (over the commode!), of one of life’s most important
questions: “In the scope of eternity, what does this matter?"
This
simple question can create a lens or filter through which we can assign value
and importance to our experiences. It helps us know if something is worth
getting upset about or not. If it’s not going to matter two weeks from now, much
less in eternity, let
it go.
Many of our
stressors would be less stressful if we would just put them in perspective.
I
learned this from my Dad. Placing
questions in full view for daily consideration.
I ran track as a high school student and enjoyed watching sports a lot. When you play sports, there are going to be
wins and losses; when we are younger we can think those wins and losses are a
lot more important than they actually are. But when filtered through the
question, “In the scope of eternity, what does this matter,” you can see both
wins and losses as valuable for teaching and revealing character.
I have
recently put another calligraphy plaque in the bathroom as well: “Win without boasting,
lose without excuses.”
I
find myself invoking this question when trying to encourage people. I frequently find myself asking “One hundred
years from today, where will you be? When you are facing Jesus, what do you
want to be glad you did now, and what do you want to avoid regretting? Think
back on this difficult time from the position of one hundred years from today,
when you are in eternity.” When the challenge of facing one’s internal pain is
filtered through this question about eternity, it is encouraging to realize
that cooperating with the Holy Spirit to uncover and relinquish our unhealed
and broken parts will change us forever, making us more fit for future Kingdom
responsibilities and glory.
The answer
to the question, “In the scope of eternity, what does this matter,” is “The
hard work and pain will be totally worth it.”
It’s
helpful to ask myself this question when I’m experiencing nighttime
sleeplessness, or physical pain, or financial stress. And it’s also helpful to
ask myself this question when I’m concerned about my loved ones; when the
answer is, “In the scope of eternity, this is REALLY important,” it motivates
me to pray. Hard. And long.
What are
you wrestling with? In the scope of eternity, what does it matter, really?
