Eternity Seems Far Away

Many of us think of eternal life like we think of retirement. For the young, it seems so far away and thus not worth bothering about. For the middle-aged, it’s something to plan for, to save up for, and to look forward to. And for the retired, it’s a time they hope to enjoy in peace. We equate eternal life with a never-ending after-life—something to be enjoyed after all the hard work of this present earthly life. But, what if it’s not like that at all?

Most people go to a work place during the day and come home in the evening. Both home and office exist at the same time. Some people choose to come home during the day—to eat lunch, to pick up something they need, or to recuperate when they are sick. Most of us come home at the end of the day to replenish, recharge, and restore ourselves before the next day’s work. Some of us are lucky enough to be able to work from home.

Jesus said: “This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.” (John 6:39-40 MSG)

 

Jesus uses the present tense to describe eternal life. It is concurrent, parallel, and more real than we imagine. Why would we equate eternal—which is defined as ‘always existing’—with the future? Eternal life or perpetual life might not be as tangible or visible as our temporal life, but it is here and now. It is the spiritual realm that coexists with our corporeal life. It is the home base to which we return—the place that replenishes and restores us. The place that we long for--the place where we truly belong.