Living for Eternity

Time is short, and passing away.

That is why the author of Ecclesiastes said, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (9:10)

With this in mind, let us work well. Let us love well. And let us worship well.

Let us work well. Let us do every action with an eye to eternity, remembering that it is done in the sight of God. This will cause us to work neither hastily nor lazily, but attentively and calmly. We are not laboring for this present world, but for the approval of a heavenly master. We do not labor to create works of wood, hay, and straw, but of gold, silver, and previous stones. Every action, no matter how ‘secular,’ must be done with this eternal perspective.

Let us love well. Time is too short to ignore those around us. They do not love that do not show their love, said Shakespeare – and we never know how long we have with those around us. Let us, then, not neglect to show kindness when it is in our power. Let us not rush through our days, but take time to invest in each person whom God places providentially in our paths. Let it be said of us, that we loved whole-heartedly while we had life.

Let us worship well. The Psalmist observed, that death brings an end to our earthly praises (Psalm 6:4-5). Our duty, then, is to yield to God that unique praise which we can only give on earth. What greater or higher duty could be handed us than this? What better can we devote ourselves to, than worshipping him at all times? To worship is more than to sing his praises; it is also to live in his presence, to aim to please him, and to continually direct others to glorify him. If we neglect this, why should we continue to live?

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