Keep our eyes on what is ETERNAL

Was supposed to actually post this earlier, but here goes!

I was reminded of one of the main paradoxes of life today, our humanly tendency to classify things to "Being a means to an end, or an end in itself".

Being in IB and all, we all work toward it as if it's a final end, but later to find it's just another stepping stone to university. From University we realise, yet again another stepping stone to work. So is work an end in itself? In another way, we look for prospective people to become our soulmates, we marry them, and is that yet an end in itself? We have children, is that an end in itself? The cycle goes on, and yet again, we come to the end of the cycle (or so we think) death, what now?

Paul constantly uses the imagery of a race, likening it to the lives we live. He is seen to say ²⁴However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me (Acts 20:24). He talks about things that we should be doing, things that should basically govern the purpose of our lives. Things that we should strive toward to make it a worthy means to the final end, the end of eternity with Christ.

Paul then constantly talks about counting all things as lost and having lost all things for the sake of Christ. So in a sense what does this all mean? 

Many of the things mentioned above may seem to be important, but in the end, they all fall short "Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord". Philippians 3:8

In his final exhortations to the Philippians, Paul tells everyone to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  To Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. What does this mean? "Fulfilling the task of testifying to the gospel of God's Grace" - Acts 20:24b. 

So how would we do this in our daily lives? Let me encourage all of us to continue reaching out to the people around us, to be living testaments of his Grace in our lives. Where people can see a heart of worship in us. To be people who are seen to do our best in everything, setting a good example in our studies, deadlines, friendships, relationships, quiet time and even those lil times when we think we aren't being watched. To put CHRIST first in everything, not after studies (although we know bad results are a bad example), not to stumble one another by compromising on our values (during the tough times). To serve our best in what we have committed to in ministry or in school or anywhere else likewise. In that fulfilling the passive testament of the gospel of God's grace. 

In the same way, serving in ministries (personal or corporate or otherwise) to reach out in an active way. To feed the hungry, clothe the poor and tend to the sick, in that sharing the love of Christ with the rest of the world. To actively share this Gospel (great and good news) to everyone, ceasing every opportuninty, in that, fulfilling the active testament of the gospel of God's grace.

Many of us as Christians may know this, I myself know this very well, but in the end, to apply it to our lives, one must make whatever head-knowledge this is into heart-knowledge. It is my sincere hope that through the empowerment of the holy spirit as well as our personal choice, that we will continue to meditate upon the word of God and continue in faith in this race.. To set our minds on things above, keeping our eyes on what is eternal.

Good Dae Mates!

-Leb