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The Salt Newsletter

Welcome to The Salt Newsletter, a weekly email where I aim to provide insight from scripture and teach you how to teach this to someone else. 

In Acts 1:1, Luke states that in his gospel he wrote about all that “Jesus began to do and teach.” An important model for us all because it isn’t just important for us to do what scripture says. We should be quick to teach it to others as well. Why? Because we’re the salt of the earth and that’s how you and I will make disciples of all nations!

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THIS WEEK
Does Eternity With Jesus Scare You?

read time 8 minutes

We live in a world that is rampant with phobias. The older you and I get, the more we notice that fear weaves itself into the fabric of our existence. There’s arachnophobia which is a fear of spiders. There’s acrophobia which is the fear of heights. There’s claustrophobia, the fear of tight spaces. But one that is peculiar, yet more common than you realize, is apeirophobia - the fear of eternity. 

People grappling with this phobia find themselves anxious at the mere thought of the limitless, never-ending life that awaits us beyond this one.

How can this be when Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us our very essence is the opposite of this? It states that God has placed eternity within our hearts! Yet, paradoxically, many are hesitant about the idea of eternity being one of our rewards as a result of us saying yes to Jesus.

This week I’ll aim to explain how we overcome the fear of eternity and replace it with excitement. In the process, you’ll see that pursuing eternity makes this life so much more exciting, purposeful and rewarding. 

The rational beyond a fear of the unknown (eternity) is simply because it’s unknown. We’re uncertain about what actually happens after this life, and it takes away something significant that we, in our human sinful nature, cherish - control.

1. Control.

I spoke with a Christian who felt overwhelmed by the idea of existing forever. It’s interesting to note that many wealthy individuals are actively seeking ways to extend their earthly lives through reverse aging technology, with some spending millions just to add a couple more years to their life. This contradiction lies in the perception of control: the fear of losing it after this life versus the desire to extend control a little longer in this life.

However, the control that we have on this earth isn’t something that’s worth gripping on to. The Creator of the universe made us with so much intentionality and such grand vision, it would be irresponsible for us to assume that He doesn’t have an even better plan for us beyond this life. In our current life, (even with all the control we have) there’s still inevitable suffering and pain. The Lord envisions and has planned for us a world free from tears, death, sorrow, and pain (Rev 21:4). Even though it’s a huge perspective shift, we must trust in the divine plan rather than fall in love with the control this life gives us in an already fallen world. Loosen up your grip. It’s okay to not know. Simply trust that anything the Lord has for you exceeds by infinity the best life you can imagine for yourself on earth.

2. Worship.

Another conversation I had was with someone fearful of eternity because they thought it would be monotonous and endless praises being sung to the Lord. I thought this was interesting because we already live in a world where people are obsessed with celebrity status and know the lyrics to every song belonging to their favorite artist. But what would it feel like to be in the presence, glory and splendor of the King? The idea of singing praises to Jesus might not seem appealing to someone who isn’t a fan of Him, and maybe doesn’t seem appealing to some of us that love Jesus with our whole heart. However, I believe that our earthly experiences are just a tiny preview of the intense joy and fulfillment the Lord has in store for us when we stand before Him. It’ll make everything we idolized here on earth feel worthless.

Still, I don’t think heaven will be monotonous. When God says in Genesis 1:26, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,” it suggests that God’s original intention for us was a fun and exhilarating life of abundance and authority over creation. The introduction of sin altered this plan, but why wouldn’t the Lord’s promise of Heaven not just be only a restoration of His original design, but an entirely elevated version of it?

While I believe singing praises to Jesus will be a part of eternity, it won’t be a repetitive or dull task. Instead, it’ll be a continuous outpouring of joy because of who Jesus is, the privilege of being in His presence, and the countless reasons we’ll discover in the heavenly realms He prepared for us. It’s not a “static” existence but an ever-unfolding journey of celebration. Walking on streets of gold? “Praise God!” Skating on a bed of water made of crystal? “Praise God!” Sitting at His feet and enjoying His presence? “Praise God!”

Will praise ever stop rolling off our tongues? I don’t think so. Should we want it any other way? Not at all.

3. Looking forward to the NEXT life makes this one incredible.

Do you remember the last day of school? Despite the challenges and struggles throughout the academic year itself, the last day brings so much excitement and joy because of the anticipation of summer vacation. Similarly, in life, focusing on the promise of eternity can transform our perspective of the difficulties that come with this life. By looking forward to what’s to come, we can find purpose, joy, and excitement in the midst of life’s chaos and challenges. 

A couple I adore is raising a child with severe development issues. I remember feeling sorry for them and asking how can I pray for them. It skyrocketed by faith when they asked that their joy in the Lord not waver. You see, they didn’t worry about the marriage issues other couples would. They didn’t have the same family tensions other families did. Their child’s illness put into perspective that this life is temporary. One day they’ll experience watching her run, jump, and sing praises in eternity. It was something they looked forward to. The focus on the life to come made them keep proper perspective of the one they’re in. As a result, every aspect of their lives is protected from the penetration of the enemy’s darts.

Anticipating eternity adds a profound sense of meaning, making it easier to navigate the difficulties of a Child of God. Loving Jesus and His people becomes more natural, and even in the face of hardships, the awareness of a beautiful destiny with Him keeps us focused. It’s a shift in mindset that enhances this life by anchoring it in the hope of the one to come, and most importantly, with Jesus.

TEACH THIS LESSON TO OTHERS

1. Read Genesis 1: What did God intend for the world to look like for humanity before sin entered? Discuss with your friend how Christ’s death on the cross made it possible for us to one day experience that fully in eternity.

2. Ask Questions: What is your friend’s state of mind around eternity? Try to find out why they feel that way. Is it a fear they won’t have control? Is it because there’s so much they want to experience on earth that they don’t know if they’ll have in heaven? Remind them that God’s choicest blessings for us await us on the other side of this life if we’ve lived with Him as our Savior.

3. Pray: Pray for a perspective of eternity that is in line with Christ’s design for us. Pray that any fear of the unknown doesn’t grip you. Pray for the faith to be excited for eternity so that this life can have so much more meaning and purpose during the limited time we’re here.

A PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the gift of eternity. Thank you for making us, your children, with eternity hidden within our hearts. I pray that you give us the strength to not fear a forever with you. Help us to become so filled with excitement and joy instead. In the time that we have left in this world, keep us be faithful to your Word and instruction. Let us be purposeful. And help us to eliminate anything in our lives that competes with you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen