Eternity Starts Today

“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. ” John 17:3

Christians speak of eternity with Christ, living in God’s presence like it’s some futuristic event or an ultimate goal, not yet achievable. It’s almost like we’re living some fairytale waiting for the words “Happily Ever After” to scroll up onto the movie screen as we sit quietly in a dark theater.

But let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ words in John 17:3.

“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”

If eternity begins with the knowing, and if knowing begins when we surrender ourselves to Jesus, then doesn’t eternity begin in the here and now?

Doesn’t the knowing occur daily in our pausing, in the sitting in God’s presence praying and listening to His voice speak love into our souls? And the more He speaks, the more we know Him, and the more we fall in love with Him who holds eternity. Isn’t that living at the start of eternity?

And soon our daily knowing wells up inside until our hearts yearn to grasp His love in our physical hands and touch his face and we say we’re yearning for eternity. But eternity is now. Isn’t loving through His eyes and touching through His hands – all those He surrounds us with in this world – count as all eternity, right here, right now?

Eternity does not wait. No. Eternity is now. Whether an eternity with God or without him, eternity is still now. Eternity begins today. Eternity with God begins with our response to His invitation to know Him and the One – Jesus – whom He sent that we might get to know God in the flesh.

What say you? Will you say yes and spend today and all of eternity in God’s presence or will your answer be no? Either way, forever starts today.

Blessings,

Dawn Aldrich

Author, Blogger, Children’s TV host

Comments

Eternity Starts Today — 10 Comments

Crystal Bowman on January 2, 2013 at 11:29 am said:

Great post, Dawn! So true–thanks for the good reminder. It is so easy to get caught up in “today” and the things of this world. I love the thoughts you shared. Thanks so much!
Crystal

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- Dawn on January 2, 2013 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your encouragement, Crystal.
  
  Celebrating the eternal in our today,
  Dawn
  
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Rhonda Schrock on January 2, 2013 at 1:15 pm said:

Ah, yes! Knowing Him in every moment. This has been such delight to me, learning to hear, see, and feel Him at all times.

What joy. What strength in that knowing.

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- Dawn Aldrich on January 2, 2013 at 1:46 pm said:
  
  Hello Rhonda,
  
  If we could stop and grasp this every moment of every day, how much easier would rising and sleeping become, yes?
  
  Slowing to find Him today.
  
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PATRICK HARRISON on January 2, 2013 at 5:23 pm said:

“Eternity with God begins with our response to His invitation to know Him and the One – Jesus – whom He sent that we might get to know God in the flesh.”

Such a wonderful email and so true.

http://godsjoyfulservant.com

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- Dawn on January 3, 2013 at 12:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by, Patrick.
  
  Reply ↓
Linda McQuinn Carlblom on January 3, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:

Yes! The kingdom of God is at hand! That means it is already here if we look for it and live it in this imperfect world. Kingdom living now is just practice for when Christ returns and sets up his kingdom on earth when we can live eternally with him. What a day that will be. Thanks for this wonderful post.

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- Dawn on January 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm said:
  
  What a day, indeed! Thanks for the encouragement, Linda.
  
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Cheryl C. Malandrinos on January 4, 2013 at 8:56 am said:

I love this post, Dawn. Thanks for sharing.

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- Dawn on January 4, 2013 at 12:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl.
  
  Reply ↓