Made For Eternity

Every culture, past and present expresses an awareness of eternity. From times before the ancient Egyptians to the  sci-fi devotees of today, an awareness of eternity has both fascinated and captivated communities and cultures. The truth is that God has placed an awareness of eternity inside of people no matter who they are or what culture they are part of.


If humanity is made in the image of God (Gen.1:26) then there is an inescapable part of humanity that will be attracted by eternity because the 'likeness' of His nature includes His eternal nature. The first Adam was created to have communion with God but sin destroyed that communion. Sin breaks fellowship between God and people. Yet there is still a part of fallen humanity that wrestles with the eternal part of our makeup. "He has put eternity in their hearts..." (Ecc.3:11) Perhaps a definition of torment this side of heaven is trying to deny the eternal part of us with our minds while still wrestling with the intuitive and ever present awareness of eternity in our hearts. This reminds me of the bumper sticker "No God, no peace; know God ,know peace".


During the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, over 4 billion people saw the iconic, copper plated writing of the word Eternity emblazoned across the Sydney harbour bridge. Arthur Stace, a relatively unknown man wrote the word Eternity on the pavements of Sydney's streets between 1935 and 1965. The Sydney Olympics have gone but Eternity is still behind us and before us. This was the same as advertising God Himself. "From eternity to eternity, I am God." (Is 43:13) Jesus said this, "And this is eternal life - that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus whom You have sent" (John 17:3-4). In other words, the manifestation of eternity is more than a dimension beyond time and space. It is in fact the expression of the person of the Son, Jesus Christ "who is the same yesterday, today and forever"(Heb.13:8)


It is interesting that even in our so called secular society in Australia that people often declare a phrase that belies secular values. When people are surprised or shocked often their first utterance is "Oh my God!" I have never heard people say "Oh my house" or "Oh my fishing rod"! Where does this cry come from? Secondly, I would think that the most common prayer statement, again said intuitively, is "God help me!" I simply make the point that there is an intuitive cry inside every heart that comes because God has planted the awareness of eternity inside of us. When a person is born again by the Spirit of God that person's spirit will be enlivened to the existence of eternity which will also stir us to want to live with purpose this side of heaven.












This blog is based on a message given by Ross Smith on 05/07/15 at The Vine Church, Springwood, Logan City, Queensland, Australia. The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching