Romans 8:18 KJV
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
It is good to keep an eye on the eternal, while trying to impact the present. The danger of either extreme is that you can be so focused on making heaven that you forget how to be a blessing to men down here on earth; you can also be so focused on labouring to impact the lives of men down here on earth that you can forget to prepare adequately for eternity. Both are extremes that we all must strive to avoid, so that we can have all-round impact. That is what God has promised to all who surrender their lives to Him. The right question, then, is not really about other people's views, or their applause or disapproval, but it is about God's position about me. Does God see me as His own? Can He dictate and direct my life as He pleases? Does He fully own me, or are there competing interests for my heart?
It is this understanding that guides the impact of the verse above. If God owns and holds my heart, there is no earthly experience that can take my heart away from Him. Whatever comes my way is fully dimensioned in line with the will of God for me. As I am His child, nothing is permitted to touch me without His approval. If it comes, it works in line with the will of God to bring out the best in me. Like the Great Physician that He is, He is able to administer each experience in the right dosage and frequency, so that they all work out His divine solution to whatever earthly reality I am currently facing. Paul, the inspired writer of this verse, would know what he was talking about here, as his own experiences showed clearly that God was involved in bringing Paul into the fullness of His will by the experiences He allowed Paul to go through.
Nothing down here can replace anything that God has to offer in eternity with Him. This world has nothing else to offer except tough times and tribulation, so do not expect the world to suddenly change and offer you support and encouragement. How can a world without hope offer you hope that it does not have? The joy of having and knowing God is that you are certain of the benefits that accrue to you. You do not know the full scope yet, but you know that there is no earthly equivalent for all that God has promised. This should keep you focused on making it to the end of this earthly phase. Do not let anything at all distract you from the joys of eternity. There is nothing this earth can offer you that will be adequate compensation for missing out on eternity with God. Keep an eye on the eternal, but depend on the eternal God to impact the earthly. God's time of favour is here.
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