Living With The End In Mind

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

I turned 40 last week. Many people have differing opinions about age, but for me, the days leading up to my birthday were hard. Physical ailments drew my attention toward my mortality. Stress levels waxed and waned with the behavior of my children. Am I truly living the life I want to live? Am I being intentional or simply allowing time to pass?

These questions lead me to spend time in self-reflection. In doing so, I recognized that many of the decisions I’ve made evolved around the opinions of others. I’ve allowed fear of rejection to have a subtle but influential part of my life. I’ve preferred to blend in rather than boldly stand out. I’ve been held back by an unwillingness to take risks to reach for the more I’ve longed for.

One thing was for sure – God was using my 40th birthday to get my attention. It was time to re-evaluate who I was living for. Has He ever done the same with you? Perhaps you can relate to facing a fork in the road of your journey. You know it’s time to make a change but it’s a little unnerving to take the leap. I believe it’s worth it.

Colossians 3:17 says, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. I’m reminded that God’s opinion of me matters most. Not what my peers think about me, how much money I make, or which neighborhood I live it. Those are earthly things that will have no meaning when I meet my Savior face to face.

But when I set my mind on things above – the transforming power of Jesus Christ, His overwhelming forgiveness and grace, and the unconditional love His has for me – I get a glimpse of eternity. I find purpose in His calling for my life. I seek His approval over the acceptance of others.

Now, I’m looking forward to my next 40 years with anticipation. I will embrace the unknown and look for the Lord’s leading amidst trials. I will accept that my aging physical body will begin to breakdown, but my eternal spirit will grow in wisdom. I will set my mind on things above and gain perspective on earthly matters.

It’s never too late to start living with the end in mind. No matter what you’ve gone through, mistakes you’ve made, or the distance you’ve drifted away from God, He has great affections for you. He longs to welcome you in with open arms. He offers us all a way to live in the light of eternity.