Kristen Henderlong

I heard a quote recently that I cannot remember word for word, but it had to do with preparing for eternity rather than focusing on this one life we have to live.

I am still pondering what that looks like because I am one to encourage the YOLO lifestyle (“You Only Live Once”)… embrace every moment.  Live in the now.  But this challenged that for me a little bit… so I thought it would be interesting to write about.  I always learn when I write.  Will you join me in learning?

Let’s lay out some things just to organize our thoughts: 

—We do only have one life to live in the physical realm of the flesh.

—Life as we know it is measured by time; our bodies age and change.

—Eternity is understood to be infinite.  Either outside of time, or endless time.

—Eternity is the “afterlife” or where we go when our flesh dies.

—Every individual has a mind, body and soul.

—When death in the flesh happens, from our living perspective, the body stays here on earth, but the person is gone.

Over the years, in Christian circles, I understand there’s been quite a heavy emphasis on being “saved” from hell; a lot of talk about the afterlife and the “Rapture.”  Fear was instilled in people by relentless preachers who thought sharing about God’s wrath would “save souls.”  They took “fear of the Lord” very literally and out of context.  Which is interesting because one of the most repeated phrases/commands in the Bible is some variation of “Do not be afraid” or “Do not fear…”

I don’t want to get too deep or theological about that stuff, I am not here to argue or debate.  There are many thoughts, theories, theologies and opinions out there. But I am here to bring hope.  Fear does not breed hope.  Jesus came to us, became like us, lived among us… in the flesh. He lived a perfect life.  Then after being killed in the flesh, He rose from the grave to show us HOPE of new life, not fear of condemnation.

We don’t truly know what will happen when we die.  There are signs and wonders provided in Scripture that give hope, but not clarity.  We have to trust in the One who conquered death.  It’s obvious we have no control over when or how we die.  It’s the most real thing that happens to every person.

But you cannot deny—when someone you love passes on, it humbles the flesh and beckons the soul to believe in life after death.  In desperation you wrestle with the thought of them being gone forever, yet your soul whispers, “This is not the end.  It cannot be the end.”

Listen to the whisper.

We are image bearers of the Infinite God who never desired death for us in the first place.  Therefore, naturally your God-made-God-image-bearing soul would rupture with contempt for death and stir up a deep truth of eternity within you.  Remember Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).  True, everlasting life, comes through Him.  Also, the author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “God put eternity in our hearts” (Ecc. 3:11).

Jesus died an awful, brutal, fleshly death to reconcile us to the One who gives genuine everlasting life in the Spirit.  The author of Hebrews writes, “Because God’s children are human beings—made of the flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (Heb. 2:14-15 italics added).

So maybe the best way to prepare for eternity is to recognize we were created to be with Him forever.  Maybe we prepare by embracing hope in all the dark corners of this world because this is not the end.  Maybe we trust in the One who conquered death so we can have LIFE—abundant, everlasting life.

Maybe it’s a paradox.  Maybe we prepare for eternity by living as if it starts right now.  We don’t have to wait to be with Jesus.  His Spirit is among us.  We don’t have to wait to find freedom and healing… He already made a way.  We don’t have to wait to live abundantly… 

Jesus Himself said, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ Or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you” (Luke 17:20-21).

It’s here now and it’s yours if you want it. “The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the good news” (Mark 1:15).

This is not the end.  It’s just the beginning.

Remember: You are loved.