Eternal Perspective

In my 20s, I dated a man who regularly (as in, every time I showed the slightest amount of stress) reminded me to have an "eternal perspective" about things.  I found these reminders to be pretty irritating overall.  (ha)  Yes, I love Jesus.  Yes, I know that this earth is not my home.  Yes, I know that something better is coming.  And yet, sometimes this world is just plain hard.  I didn't think it was fair to suggest that I be anything other than "real" about my emotions in the moment.  In those moments. 

As I think back on those conversations, I think we were both right.  My friend was right that I needed to see the bigger picture of what was happening around me.  And I was right that God understands that we are human and will fail in our abilities to get it right the first time every time.  Indeed, God became wholly man and Himself begged to be spared His cross....

Last week I was having lunch with a friend at work.  As is often the case with this friend, our conversation turned to my faith and questions about a God who would allow children to be killed in Connecticut or allow evil to reign on earth.  My friend regularly questions me on these issues, I think because he is hoping for a silver bullet answer that will quiet his heart.... and mind.

There is no such answer.

As I reflected on Christmas this week, I thought about my friend and his questions.  There is SO much anticipation in getting ready for Christmas and purchasing gifts and doing advent activities and having parties and going to church.....  The build up is incredible.  And then, faster than the year before, the day *Christmas* is here and gone.  I can't help but feel a let down after another year has passed, wondering what I might do differently the following year or how I might do it all better....

But there is another Christmas coming.  Christ's second arrival on earth.  The day when the trumpet will sound and we will come into HIS glory forevermore.  And the anticipation for THAT day will never end.  There will be no "day after" depression.  There will be no let down.  There will be only holy rejoicing forever.  Forever!

And that is eternal perspective.  That's the perspective that understands that God WEEPS with us when 20 children are murdered in school and welcomes them home, into His arms.  The perspective that knows God is angered by the use of orphans as pawns in Russia because He is a God of justice and HOPE -- the same God who is comforting children even as they suffer in their earthly bodies.  The perspective that appreciates that at the end of the day -- the real end of the day -- it does not matter much who rules on this earth because He is LORD of all. 

Yes, evil happens and in many ways, appears to reign.  But when I lift up my eyes and get a new perspective, I know and believe that a better day is coming, no matter how dark it can seem here in this life.  And that day will never end.