Eternal Perspective

"Writing in the cracks is often what writing looks like, and traveling is no different.  Sometimes it's not as convenient or glamorous as we hope, and that's okay.  All it really takes is one choice (pull out the notebook or laptop) and then bam, we're writing.  So make the choice, even if it's not what you expected it to be like."

I recently came across this quote by Elizabeth Moore on her Instagram.   Though I assume she intended to connect it with her travels, I found it to speak truth about writing in the midst of everyday life.  It encouraged me to not wait for a profound piece to write, but instead write about what I am learning in my daily walk with Christ.
Over the past few weeks, I have experienced many lessons on choosing Christ above all else.  It has been a long process of denying myself and all that comes with it - my insecurities, my hopes, and my desires. 
In my journal a few days ago, I wrote this prayer to God, "You are my bridegroom who rejoices over me and treasures me.  I want my life to exemplify how I rejoice over and treasure you.  You are enough and You will always be enough.  Regardless of anything else, You don't just satisfy...I've underestimated You by saying that...You give abundance and double portions.  You time and plan my steps in such a way that I could not even do for myself.  Let my love for You far exceed all else."
This past week, the Lord answered a direct prayer of asking Him to woo me more than anything in this world.  He has drawn me to Himself and has caused me to fall more in love with Him. 
I've come to realize that there are a lot of things on this earth that can quickly distract us from our main purpose.  One assignment, one job, even one person can cause us to shift our eyes from the main goal.  We were placed here, in God's image, to bring Him praise and glory.  How do we do that?  By keeping our eyes locked on Him and running our race focused on all that He is.  I've learned a lot this past month about considering where my attention is, what is drawing my attention, and where my attention should be.  Are the things or people I am giving my attention to in any way drawing or pointing me back to Christ?  Or am I feeding on the attention I receive from others? 
As Christians, let us remember our mission to share with others how they can spend eternity with Christ.  Let us remember our purpose is to make disciples and share our redeeming stories with others.  Everything else deals with the temporary, so it is important to keep an eternal mindset.  What I have learned is that we are able to do this only when we are completely drawn to Christ and are seeking Him above all else.
But let me make it clear - this is not something that I can just easily do.  My schedule this semester is busy, busy, and more busy.  However, all of that busy, busy, busy in my life becomes blessing, blessing, and more blessing when I keep an eternal perspective.  With my pre-internship, the Lord provides opportunity to invest in children and brings moments of joy by kids just being kids.  With classes, I get to sit from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm every Tuesday and Thursday with the same people, laughing about how much we have to do and getting to build friendships that otherwise we never would have had.  And then is the extent of ministries the Lord lets me take part in...whether Bible studies, discipleship, small groups, or any other ministry in between, what could easily become mundane tasks to check-off have remained beautiful times of pouring out and receiving all because of an eternal perspective.  In this season of life, I am busy.  But I love the busy.  Not because of anything I do, but because God reminds me of that eternal perspective.
So, no, you may not have the same schedule or season of life as I do.  Yours may look like the complete opposite.  Eternal perspectives, though, can be applied wherever you are in life.  Try it.  Taking emphasis off of temporary things is like a burden being lifted....probably because it is.  
Psalm 73:23-26 says,
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
 You guide me with your counsel,    and afterward you will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail,    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Dwell on these verses and what it truly means to desire nothing on earth but God.  There are a lot of distractions to steal our attention, but the goal is to fight the urge to look away from Christ and instead keep our eyes on Him.  After all, He is the reason we can have this eternal perspective.