I’m Not Waiting for the Afterlife

We talk a lot on this blog about living for eternity. That’s because we firmly believe that the most important things we can ever do on this earth are the things that will reverberate long after this mortal life is over. When everything around us in this life seems to encourage short-term fixes and instant gratification, it takes real discipline and training to think for eternity. It’s a dramatic paradigm shift that’s worth fighting for.

Now that a new year is upon us, it’s a great opportunity to make a decision now to begin investing in thoughts, activities, and people in ways that will have an eternal impact. With all the bad stories in the news this past month, it’s easy to think that this world is beyond help, but that’s not true. God calls us to actively participate in the work He is doing, and in doing so, we have the opportunity to have great joy!

My wife bought me the newest album from Switchfoot, Vice Verses, for Christmas. The title track is a song called “Afterlife,” I think a few of the lyrics are worth sharing.

Everyday the world is made,
A chance to change but I feel the same.
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I’m ready now, I’m not waiting for the afterlife.

Everyday a choice is made
Everyday I choose my fate
And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive?
I’m ready now, I’m not waiting for the afterlife.

So for 2013, I want to present you with the same challenge I’m making for myself: Every day is another chance to make the world a different place. I don’t want my plan to be to just hang around on earth, doing things or engaging in thoughts or conversations that don’t matter, planning to really come alive in the next life. If Christ promises me abundant life now and later with Him in Heaven, why would I choose to miss out on both blessings? No, I’m ready now. I’m not waiting for the afterlife.

Questions for thought:

• What specific things can you stop doing that will help you live for eternity?
• What specific things can you begin doing that will help you live for eternity?

Video:

Switchfoot posted a lyrics-only video for “Afterlife” to their YouTube Channel that I also wanted to share with you. I hope you find it encouraging and thought-provoking to ask yourself the question they ask, “Why would I wait ’til I die to come alive?”

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5 Comments Posted in Eternal Perspective By Hayden Wreyford

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