Life is annoyingly ominous sometimes, and we don’t always find answers. I often find myself struggling with how to enjoy the different seasons that occur throughout my life, and sometimes it’s hard to believe that I am supposed to be where I am. I think it’s a natural tendency in everyone to want something we do not have, and this implies that we don’t appreciate what we have in the present.
Growing up I’ve been taught that “living in the moment” is not a desirable thing, and my opinion gradually changed to that of one where it’s not only desirable but of specific necessity to making the most of life. Recently I’ve discovered that the truth does not lie in either extreme, but a compromise between the two. When making decisions throughout our lives we often choose a direction in time to focus on. We normally deal with three tenses on the spectrum of time— Past, Present, and Future. Focusing on one (for example, the Past) by definition means losing focus on another (the Future). Focusing on the Present means partially losing focus of both extremes and so on.
This presents a problem for us because our mindsets can directly influence our choices every day whether they are big or small. Christianity, I think, has a unique view on this topic. We have at our disposal another dimension of time that we focus our attention on. It infests everything we believe and how we behave from the food we eat to how we treat our loved ones. This dimension of time is called Eternity, and Christian values strive to focus on this above all else. In doing so, we do not neglect the formerly discussed tenses, but give purpose to all. The Past points towards eternity through the Justification given by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Future points towards Eternity through the longing for communion and the rejoining of Heaven and Earth. The present is that of which we have the open opportunity to dwell with our creator that has chosen and fore-ordained us to unity in our current time. The Bible gives purpose to all of time and points towards Eternity Himself, which is God.
I have found I’m not alone in my struggle to enjoy where I have been placed in life, and yet, the grace of God keeps correcting my path as I travel it with the Creator Himself.
When you are struggling with finding purpose in the Past, Present, or Future, “Lift up your eyes” (Psalm 123) and remember Eternity:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Eden Samaniego is a junior at Chisholm Trail Academy. He has been involved with Enspire Productions for over 2 years now.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash