An Eternal Perspective

As Christians, plans for our lives and our institutions should be from an eternal perspective. We are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven temporarily posted to this world. We should not adopt the world’s values or form deep roots here. In our thoughts, words and actions – His approval is all that matters. We must ask ourselves, ‘What has God called me for?’ and live for that calling. Then, our treasures will be built up in our heavenly bank account in Heaven’s currency – where the exchange rate is incomparable!

When my wife and I reopened a closed down hospital in a remote part of Assam, we felt God telling us that the hospital should be for the poor and marginalised. The rich had other options, but the poor had none. Dedicating the hospital for the poor meant increased workload and few comforts as well as no recognition for many years. But, as time passed, we could see the lives of the poor transformed before our eyes and we knew that this is what the Lord wanted from us.

One of the major factors that should influence our endeavours is ‘eternal perspective’. We don’t work or live for temporary, earthly achievements, comforts or appreciation. Our lives extend beyond death, forever. Worldly pleasures are for a moment, but heavenly achievements are everlasting. Abraham lived for the future. He could have found a good spot to build a home and prosper, but his life was marked by obedience to his Master; he therefore lived in tents, ready for the next order from his Commanding Officer. (Hebrews 11:9)

What are the most important factors that influence our personal or institutional decision making? Do we strive for success in the traditional business sense? Instead, we should be looking to God for direction and after receiving it, all our motives and progress must be evaluated against this new plumb line.

Earthly values pale in comparison to heavenly ones. The best possible investment of our lives, as individuals and as teams, would be to become living sacrifices, submitting our assets and ambitions to Him, so that we can be used as His tools to achieve His ends.

Lord, help me to look at the world through Your eyes, with an eternal perspective. Amen