Chapter 4: Made to Last Forever
“This life is not all there is.” So, starts this chapter. Rick Warren, “Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production.” According to Rick, life is our preparation for our life in eternity. Think about it. Doesn’t our heart tell us we have something more after this life? “C.S. Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right then, have it your way.’” Years ago, I made the choice to live my life trusting that my Lord and Savior would forgive my sins and lead me to a more fulfilling life. He has. I have found living with eternity on my mind truly has given me a better life! There is just something in knowing that God through His Son has given me a life of purpose and meaning. But, it is deeper than mere words can explain. I have a deeper sense that my Lord is in control of everything. There is a sense of real hope, a peace that, “passes all understanding”. I no longer worry about the mundane things of the world because “I know my redeemer lives!”.
But there is more. Having a belief in the eternal makes things that were once so very important seem much less so. This is not to say that, “I’m so heavenly bound that I’m no earthly good.” But my paradigm has shifted, my view of my situation has changed I no longer worry about things that our out of my control. Its living the serenity prayer,
God Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change Courage to change the things I can: And the wisdom to know the difference.
Remember, God has a plan made just for you! Knowing that, accepting that concept makes every trial in your life just different. It is like in Basic Training we knew the Drill Sergeant had a purpose for getting us up at the crack of dawn. We knew he had a reason for forcing us to learn, we may not have liked it at the time but we knew it was necessary. This life is preparation for the next life. We do not fear death, nor do we fear life. Someone once said, I think it was Clint Eastwood but don’t know for sure, “Dying is easy living is hard.” But, knowing that we are in training, knowing that God has a purpose even for you is a paradigm shift. Realizing, and accepting God’s plan for your life makes it all worth it. Even your darkest times take on a whole different meaning, because you realize there was a purpose for what you went through.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if we allow it even our darkest times can grow us into better, happier, more content people if we allow it.
Author
Sgt. Allen Lynch
Allen Lynch is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.Healing Resources
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