We rarely talk about eternal life. It’s as if it’s a pie in the sky. Something that lies far in the future and beyond our reach. However, knowing about eternal life can actually help us navigate difficult times now.

Usually, before you go on holiday, you’re under a lot of pressure. You have to finish all your work, others have to be notified to take over your tasks, and there should be no surprises.

Yet, knowing that the holiday is coming helps you work hard and put up with frustration. It’s as if the upcoming vacation drags you through this last stretch. It’s almost as if you’re being pulled into a better world.

Likewise, eternal life is something that awaits everyone who believes in Jesus. It’s something we can look forward to and something that can help you bear the hardship you face here on earth, because you know what is coming.

Eternal life is a life of glory and happiness that waits in the afterlife. We can’t see it now, but we know about it because Jesus tells us about it.

It’s a life where the veil that has been drawn over all the mysteries will be removed, and we will be able to understand everything. A life without sorrow and without lack. A life full of joy. And the best thing about it is that it will never end.

Eternal life is a gift from God the Father. His grace never ends, and He only wants to do good to His children. God has already prepared a place for us so that we can live with Him forever.

¹¹… This is the testimony in essence: God gave us eternal life; the life is in his Son. So, whoever has the Son, has life; whoever rejects the Son, rejects life.

Jesus gives us this gift of eternal life. And remember, eternal life does not begin the day we leave this earthly life. It has already begun.

Knowing that a brand-new life in paradise awaits us makes the hard times here on earth more manageable. Like waiting to go on holiday, but only better, because we never have to come back to this broken world.

It’s a shame that so many people are going to miss out on this life. It’s actually very simple: if you’re not in a relationship with Jesus, you do not have a share in this special life to come.

For countless people we encounter daily, life will simply stop. Some of our loved ones do not realise this. I wonder if we should not make more of an effort to tell them about this, too, so that one day we can overflow with happiness together?

Scripture
1 John 5:7-21

Reflection
What does knowing about eternal life mean to you?
How does it help your life right now?
Who has the Lord put on your heart to tell about this?

Prayer
Father, thank you for this huge gift. It’s very exciting and helps me live differently today. Help me to share it with others. Amen.