A Forever Future (10/03/2025)

I remember when I was young. For me, “future” was what I was having for supper. As I grew, “future” was all about next week or next month or ever next year. Somewhere in my midlife, “future” became my focus because I realized I had the promise of “a forever future” with the LORD if I could get my ducks in a row headed in the same direction – toward Christ.

The older I get, the more time I spend thinking about my “forever future” and what it will be like if I can stay “the Way” and “finish the race” as the faithful disciple I am called to be. It gives me the energy to keep on keeping on and keep on showing up. The idea that I am invited to spend an eternity with my LORD and Savior gives me hope and makes me want to try to be the best I can be not as in gold medal best but as in saint rather than sinner best.

I know that I rely upon companions on the journey who share my hope, who seek to live their faiths daily, who remind me of the multitude of ways we are called to love well. Time with them often makes me want to be a better person, a more faithful person, a more loving person. It’s amazing what we can see in others when we take the time to look, what the LORD has woven within them, what they are willing to share for love of the LORD and us.

And the Spirit surprises me daily, gifting me and gracing me. I don’t earn it. It is a “gift”. But I am aware daily that I must discern these gifts and employ the grace as I journey in faith. Daily, the LORD is with me. And I do rely upon the Spirit, I lean on the LORD.

On really tough days, I ironically pray to the LORD for His yoke because I so need rest. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.” And I have to smile in anticipation, the LORD does love irony and test us with it. Who would expect that the way to eternal life was through death on a cross? Who would have ever bet that the last would be first?

The LORD promises us a forever future full of hope, full of love, full of joy. I’m hoping I can spend my present in such a way as to be deserving of it.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.