An Eternal Perspective

"As we teach our children and lay a foundation of truth that will hold strong throughout their lives, they must hear, as Jesus disciples did, of the reality of eternity. Jesus said that this world is passing away, that we will live with Him in His kingdom for eternity, but also that eternity starts right now as we establish his spiritual kingdom in our hearts and learn to live with an eternal perspective.

How inportant is it that we give our children this perspective as we seek to lay the foundations of their lives. Jesus said; "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness"(Mathew6:33). We are to strain for heaven, to put our treasures there, and this means we must hold this world loosely.

If we teach our children through our actions or instruction, even subtly, that being succesfull in this world is some how a measure of their importance and succes, then we will miss the point of all the Lords teaching. We are given one chance to live on this earth, and the true measure of our success will be our faith, our faithfullness, and our obediance.

As I seek to teach my children all the biblical truths they will need to be equipped for life and also try and model for them a life of faith, eternal truth must always be the foundation of their understanding. If they can keep eternity before their eyes, they will be able to live in hope no matter what happens to them in this life.

And rest assured something always happens! Happiness, after all, is elusive in this life. It is a sure thing that all the people that our children love will die. All the material things they own will disintegrate. All the status that they achieve will pass away.

But Christ and His kingdom will never pass away. He will be with us always. With this knowledge as the foundation of faith, our children will never lose hope and will never fail, because they have a future, "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven" for them (1peter 1:4)"
The ministry of motherhood

As I read this section of the chapter I began to ask myself have I done a good job in teaching my children of their eternal heritage? Yes they know that Heaven awaits them, but do they know why, do they know the details, the legacy, the real reason for this life? I think I have alot of work to do in this area, and a gazzilion other areas ;-)