In the Bible App, today, the question was posed, “What about eternal life encourages you today?”

Of the three options given, I chose, “I will have perfect community with God.”  This is because, for me, the trauma of living in this realm is the uncertainty of life, its quality and longevity.  Constantly, issues of life bring up doubt and insecurity, pain and anxiety, separation and loneliness, and so on.

Sometimes, I feel close to God, and other times, I wonder if I know Him at all. I find this topsy-turvy of living highly unsettling, and eternal life with God signifies the end of such uncertainty.  I will know as I am known.  I will be perfected as God is perfect.  I will be at peace with myself and others, anxious for nothing, joyful always.

But in eternity, in God’s presence, in Heaven, there will be no more need for faith.  Because faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1). In heaven, hope has no meaning, because it is not missing nor needed.

So, in this life, on this earth, the gift we have from God is FAITH – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8).  It is the gift that enables us to have hope, to trust, obey, and persevere, despite the uncertainties and traumas of living in a sin-ridden world.  It is through faith that we enter God’s rest; eternal life and perfect communion with Him – “My righteous one shall live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back…” (Hebrews 10:38).

It seems obvious then that there is something essential to be gained from our humanity, from living in this realm of uncertainty, which we all must pass through before entering the promised rest.  Jesus hints at this when He prayed that God wouldn’t take His disciples away from the earth, but give them what they need to endure and overcome (John 17:15).  And perhaps we won’t truly appreciate the goodness of living in the land of uncertainty until we reach Heaven…

So, I’m encouraged today that there is purpose in this life I am living.  I may not know it or have a clear view of the way ahead, but I am assured that I am not alone.  Knowing that Jesus loved me, and chose Himself to come and live in this uncertain world, suffering as a human, for a purpose and higher glory, that I may come to know Him and follow after Him, I am motivated to endure and overcome!  And that can only be done through faith.

If you have faith, count yourself fortunate, and hang on to this gift of life.  If you lack faith, all you have to do is ask. Yes, it takes a little bit of faith to ask…  But that small gift of faith is already in you…so you can ask Him for the faith to believe, trust, persevere, and overcome; the faith to be saved.

May the grace of God abide with you.  Happy New Year!

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