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 With paper and pen, she recorded her final hours: “I am preparing myself for death.” (Quoted in Paul Johnson, The Quest for God)
That is a healthy attitude for all of us to adopt, even if we do not anticipate death’s arrival as quickly as this woman did. “It is appointed for men to die, and after that to face judgment.” Death and judgment are on the way, as certainly as taxes. So we ought to get ready – it has a way of sneaking up on us.
“Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how brief my life is. Each man's life is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:4, 5)
Preparing for death helps develop an eternal perspective. The physical stimulus of this world is strong stuff. The sensory data that daily bombards us belies the reality of the eternal, invisible world. If we do not consciously remind ourselves of eternity, we may forget that everything we see will one day pass away.
An eternal perspective produces many positive results in our life.
The Determination to Stay On Course
The first result of an eternal perspective is the determination to stay on course. Solomon said it this way:
“You are going to die, so you should think about it while there is still time.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
An eternal perspective keeps the goal in sight. With the goal in sight, we are less likely to stumble or quit.
In the early morning hours of July 4, 1952, Florence Chadwick dove into the water off Catalina Island. She intended to swim the twenty-plus miles to the California coast. Chadwick was already an accomplished long-distance swimmer; two years earlier, she swam the English Channel in both directions – the first woman ever to do it.
The water was icy, the fog nearly impenetrable. She could barely see the boat she was suppose to follow. Several times her team drove sharks away with rifle fire. After 15 hours in the water, she gave out. Her trainer urged her on; they were so close. But all she could see was fog. She quit – one mile from her goal. She said later, “If I could have seen the land I might have made it.”
Two months later in clear weather, Florence swam the channel successfully, setting a new speed record. There was no fog, and she could see the land. Because the goal was in sight, she stayed on course.
The Wisdom to Make Right Decisions
The second result of an eternal perspective is the wisdom to make right decisions. Moses said it this way:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
I had an arrangement with my children when they were young. When they wanted to spend their allowance on something at the toy store, I would make them wait a day. I promised to return the next day if they were still convinced of their choice. I think I only went back once. When the item in question was no longer in view, other priorities superseded it. They were able to gain a better perspective on what they really wanted, and so they made better decisions.
A long-term perspective enables us to choose deferred rewards over immediate gratification.
The Urge to Find and Fulfill the Call of God
The third result of an eternal perspective is the urge to find and fulfill the call of God. Paul said it this way:
“There is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone's work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.” (I Corinthians 3:13)
An eternal perspective helps us determine what activities are most valuable. There are many diversions in life, many ways to spend our time. The light of eternity provides a gauge to determine if what we are doing is worthwhile and lasting.
 In England last spring I visited a 16-sided home called a la Ronde. Two wealthy spinsters, Jane and Mary Parminter, built it in 1796. It has 20 wedge-shaped rooms around a central octagon towering 35 feet. It is an impressive structure. But the most astonishing thing about it is the millions of shells, feathers, stones, paper, sand, chicken bones, seaweed, and bits of pottery that the Parminters laboriously affixed to the walls, ceilings, and furniture.
The two cousins spent years creating this bizarre and whimsical display. Their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and tireless energy is remarkable. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. But as I viewed their handiwork, I could not help wondering if this was the most productive way to spend their time, talents, and resources. If they had a pressing awareness of eternity, would they have devoted themselves so completely to this project?
An eternal perspective helps us answer questions like that. It is a measuring rod for all our actions.
Conclusion
In 1715, the Reverend Jean Massillon was asked to preach the funeral oration of the great Louis the XIV at the cathedral of Notre Dame. All the crowned heads of Europe were there. It was an impressive event. Massillon’s opening words summarize the essence of the eternal perspective: “Brethren, in the hour of death, only God is great.”
That is the ultimate eternal perspective.
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