An Eternal Perspective
Joni Eareckson Tata once said, “Perspective is everything when you are experiencing the challenges of life.” For me, one of my life’s biggest challenges was listening to my team of oncologists insist that I complete radiation in a tomo machine, after I clearly and tearfully told them that I simply could not do it. I have severe claustrophobia and this type of treatment requires the patient to be strapped to a board wearing a tight custom fitting mask that covers your entire head and shoulders and is bolted to the board. “I cannot do it,” I said. Their response? “You will die if you don’t.”
It’s during those kinds of seasons that I’ve been immeasurably grateful for the gift of God’s Word. I’ve always been a fan of studying the story of Scripture as a whole; and never have I been more thankful for the eternal perspective gained from such an exercise then during my battle with cancer.
This week, Pastor Ben walked us through Daniel 7:15-28. Using a football analogy, he shared that if he knows that his team wins a football game, he isn’t stressed while watching them lose during the 3rd quarter. Yes, during that quarter it doesn’t look good. Perhaps the team is playing poorly. Maybe there are turnovers and penalties, and, in those moments, it looks as if there is no hope for a win. Yet, because he knows the final score of the game, he isn’t concerned. There’s nothing to worry about. This is just one part of the game. Is it hard to watch? Perhaps. But it isn’t the final. It isn’t defeat.
Scripture is the same. In the first two books of Genesis, all is good. And then in Genesis 3:15, sin enters the world through Satan, the serpent. Throughout the rest of Scripture to Revelation, we see the effects of sin: a fallen people in a fallen world until Jesus returns and reigns again. Conflict in this world is therefore inevitable and we must not only prepare for it, we must expect it. From Genesis to Revelation 20, people are living in a warzone; in the middle of a war between the kingdom good and the kingdom of evil. We should expect this to surface in our schools, our businesses, our communities and our homes. So, we live in the here and now in the middle of the warzone and yet just like the football game, we know Who wins. We know that Jesus conquered evil and will reign forever.
So, the question we must ask ourselves is how are we prepared to deal with conflict? The war between good and evil? Persecution? Because none of it can be avoided, especially in our world today when we are seemingly divided over a multitude of issues: political, church, health and family matters, just to name a few.
A quote from Max Lucado rings true in these situations: “In all of life’s situations, it is how we chose to respond that will determine whether the outcomes of the conflict are constructive or destructive.” God is still working. Until Jesus returns, there is much work to do and we are partners in His work.
What does this mean we are to do? First, I think it means that just as God’s Word tells us, we expect conflict and prepare for it by studying His word. We understand His promises and the story of Scripture. We meditate on His kingdom, that we have received and possess forever and ever. We strengthen our faith by reminding ourselves that even when it seems we’re losing, the game isn’t over yet. Jesus’ victory over sin and death is our victory. Our future is settled because of Christ.
When we expect conflicts and difficulties and are prepared for them, we aren’t shaken when they arise. We stand up for what is true. We speak up for those who are mistreated. We remain firm in our faith. We don’t shrink in the face of conflict or hardships. We know we are co-heirs of an eternal kingdom. We know Whose we are and we know we serve an audience of One: The Most High who is and forever will be. We realize that the “here and now” is but one small part of the quarter in the game of life. And because of this, we remain faithful and we persevere.
It is this eternal perspective woven throughout the gift of Scripture that carried me from my darkest days no matter how much others told me I was losing my battle. For I knew, even if I lost this “battle” on earth, I win the war with Jesus. Forever and ever. This is our strength. Praise be To God!
~ Nicole Bryan has been a member of LIFE Fellowship for over 10 years and holds a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She and her husband Callan have three children.