Eternal Perspective in Our Day-to-Day

Having a mindset on eternity and maintaining an eternal perspective have consumed my thoughts lately. It started with one simple verse found in Hebrews 12:2. I’ve heard it and read it numerous times but recently, the Holy Spirit brought it to such a light, it really shifts everything. Let me share it with you:

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

There’s so much in this verse and it’s worth meditating on for a good long while but with regards to eternal perspective, “for the joy set before him” is what spurred on this writing.

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Eternal Perspective

Jesus showed us for the joy set before him, He endured the cross. Another version reads, “for the joy awaiting him.” NLT We look to Jesus and He looked to the Father in heaven in everything. 

Do we live for the joy awaiting us?

So often we look to this world for satisfaction and it was never meant to satisfy us. Our home truly is in heaven with our Heavenly Father yet how often do we dwell on the eternal? How often throughout our day are our thoughts weighed by an eternal perspective?

One verse that comes to mind is Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else”. I tend to take this more as a suggestion than a command sometimes. To consider though, we’re kingdom citizens and we’re meant to live kingdom lives here and now. 

Related: Surrendering to God – Tearing Down Your Kingdom

Eternal Perspective Meaning

So what exactly is the eternal perspective meaning? It’s putting 2 Corinthians 4:18 into practice. It says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.

Living life with a lens on eternity is obviously not natural for us. But God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our vision to be on the eternal.

What does it mean to live with eternity in view?

If you’re like me, you get caught up in….life! Daily rhythms, schedules, interruptions, emergencies, highs, and lows of life. Normal stuff, right? But are the day-to-day comings and goings filtered through an eternal lens?

For instance, do you live with the end in mind? Are you concerned with God being glorified in your life?

Oh yes. I’m asking myself the same questions! Lots of food for thought and I trust the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in areas that need tending to.

Do we, like Paul, consider our present troubles “small and won’t last very long?” Are we satisfied knowing, “they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever?” 2 Corinthians 4:17

Being heavenly minded puts eternity into focus in our day-to-day. It’s walking out in faith and putting into action what we claim, knowing the joy set before us! Our destination far outweighs our time here on earth.

Our eternal God holds our life in the palm of His hand. When we see snippets of time, He knows the whole story – beginning to end! How often we get caught up in the snippets and forget our view of eternity! Lord help us keep an eternal perspective daily!

Eternal Mindset Thoughts to Ponder

Thoughts – Are your thoughts consumed with this present life and how to get ahead and self-serving or are they invested in building God’s Kingdom?

Time – Do you use your time wisely and in productive, God-glorifying ways or are there areas where you could spend serving God or growing to know Him better?

Attitude – Is your attitude the same as that of Christ Jesus? (Phil 2:5) Do you surrender to him as a servant? (I’m stepping on my own toes.)

Citizenship – Do you live as a citizen of heaven?

Investments – Are you making eternal investments with relationships, money, and service?

How do you maintain eternal perspective?

So how exactly do we maintain an eternal perspective? For starters, study and follow Jesus. He was completely dependent upon the Father in all things. He trusted Him to the point of death. Jesus gave the perfect example of maintaining an eternal perspective throughout life.

We’re told to  “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

This very day, as believers in Jesus Christ, our lives are now hidden with Christ. He works in us, as the author and perfecter of our faith, to live relying on Him.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

This is an awesome 90-day devotional for moms that I’ve enjoyed called Heavenly Minded Mom.

What are some benefits of living with an eternal perspective?

Living with an eternal perspective brings heaven to earth today and fills us with hope for all of our tomorrow’s! Below are a few benefits of living with an eternal perspective:

Eternal Perspective Benefit #1: Peace – An eternal perspective gives us everlasting peace as we rely on the promises of eternity.

Eternal Perspective Benefit #2: Security – An eternal perspective gives us security in knowing what is to come. We can rely knowing our eternal home is secure and we can rest knowing the best is yet to come!

Eternal Perspective Benefit #3: Hope – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19) Our lives are secure and hidden in Christ. Nothing can deter or take this away from us and we can rejoice knowing one day we will appear with him in all his glory!

Eternal Perspective Benefit #4: Joy – Living with an eternal perspective gives us joy today and to come! Our souls feast knowing we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth!

Related: Living the Abundant Life in Christ & Dying To Self Meaning

Eternal Perspective Verses

Here are some additional eternal perspective verses on having an eternal mindset and an eternal perspective:

1 Timothy 6:12-14 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

James 5:7-8 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.

Related: Worthwhile Benefits of Putting God First

Eternal Perspective

May we fix our eyes on Jesus and what is eternal. May we daily seek an eternal perspective knowing and rejoicing in the eternity with Him that awaits us! As he endured the cross, for the joy set before him, may we follow daily in his footsteps and example.