If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is,
sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is
our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4, NKJV)
Scripture makes it clear that since the Fall, our earthly lives are temporal. The sin committed by Adam and Eve set death in motion, both physically and spiritually. How that must have grieved the Creator! And yet, our Lord loved the first couple and their descendants so much that He provided a plan of redemption that would rescue His beloved creation from the ultimate consequences of that sin (John 3:16). Why?
Because eternity is on God’s heart. Is it on ours?
January brings with it a feeling of renewal, a sense of starting fresh with new plans, new commitments, and new opportunities. But how much of this newness is focused here on earth? If we are honest, we’d have to admit that most all of the “new” we are considering is deeply rooted in the here and now.
Paul’s admonition to the Colossians reminds us that real living is not in the here and now, but in the glory to come, when the temporal becomes eternal. He commands us to set our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth.” Why? Because that’s where Christ is, and that’s our promised destiny. Philippians 3:20 says that our citizenship is in heaven, not on this ball of dirt. So we need to think with eternity on our minds; we need to plan with eternity on our minds; we need to live right now—this year—with eternity on our minds. Doing so allows us a greater glimpse of the glory to come.
At the Institute for Creation Research, we make plans that affect countless lives in the here and now, but with a focus on impacting men and women, boys and girls, to think and live with eternity on their minds, with the Creator on their minds. For it is in the consideration of the Creator that we see both the Judge and the Redeemer, and come to terms with His offer of salvation. Our earthly labors through research, education, and the communication of His truth are all rightly accomplished with eternity in mind.
Our prayer is that you will uphold us as we continue this eternal work. We need your prayers and your financial support as we make plans for the work God has called us to accomplish. But we also need to hear that you are taking the work of our hands and using it in your own sphere of influence. What joy that brings to our hearts!
So while you’re making a list of resolutions for this year, why not put at the top of that list a commitment to influence someone around you with the eternal message of the Creator. It won’t be that long before we see the fruit of our labor standing around the throne of God. May God grant you a truly happy New Year!
* Mr. Ford is Executive Editor at the Institute for Creation Research
Cite this article: Ford, L. 2011. Eternity on Our Hearts. Acts & Facts. 40 (1): 3.
