SNAP
There is that which is hard to understand. Have you considered eternity, everlasting, or forever? Who can wrap their thoughts around the concept? It’s like the latest deficit and budget requests in government. What is a billion, hundreds of billions, or a trillion? Can anyone comprehend the enormity of it? Can anyone foresee the consequence?
Billions and a trillion are finite measures but most difficult to fathom for many whose length of measure is limited to thousands and perhaps a million. If you had a standard ruler and were confined to a room it would be difficult to comprehend a mile. Though eternity seems incomprehensible it might be easier to understand than a trillion. A trillion requires us to not only grasp the value of one, but reach its summation at a conclusive point. The conclusion is the elusive element of the equation. Who can know it? Yet, in the case of eternity its concept does not require conclusion but continuation. Continuation can be illustrated. And, with eternity it’s a snap.
First let’s consider the snap of thumb and finger. How long does it take? It takes, perhaps, a third or half a second to complete. Easily understood? Imagine a snap in contrast to a minute, an hour, a day. Each of these is easily grasped. Can you envision a snap in comparison to a year, decade, or lifetime? How can we further relate? Consider the snap of today in contrast to the day of US independence. Not much of a stretch. Imagine a snap to the day of Christ’s resurrection. That’s only a little more than two thousand years right? It seems incomprehensible, yet remains understandable. This is the beginning of an understanding of eternity. You can continue with the exercise using a snap as reference and never reach an ending yet develop an understanding of the incomprehensibility which is eternity.
Now let’s consider the value we place on our lives in God’s everlasting eternity. What is our life but much less than a snap or moment in God’s sight? In the true essence of eternity our life should be imperceptible and insignificant. Yet, God places the greatest value and has paid the highest price for our seeming insignificance. And, how do we view our life in contrast? We lack God’s vision and place great stock in hours and years. To many, a lifetime is an eternity. Such, is the wisdom of man! In reality our life is barely a beginning.
Psalm 144:3,4 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Snap your fingers and see your life. What will you do with it? Would you take such limited time and disregard God’s opportunity? We have been given this moment to make a choice.
II Cor. 6;2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Living your life for yourself and without God will lead to eternity by yourself. God has prepared only one place in eternity separated from Him. It is intended for fallen angels but is sufficient for guilty man. Is it worth living for self in this moment only to die eternal?
Living your life for God, trusting with faith in Jesus Christ, will mean a never ending life with God. And, in God’s promise are many mansions. Is it about material possession? It’s about God’s love and welcome into eternal fellowship.
Snap! What will the next moment bring - liberty or penalty?
Snap! There’s a moment gone, a life consumed.
Snap! Ten thousand years in eternity.
