“When we are touched by the eternal, it gives us the now in a way that nothing else does. . . . Earthly days can have eternal impact.”- Dick Foth
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”- C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
In Chapter 18 (“Fully Alive”) of A Trip around the Sun, Dick Foth notes that we like to think of ourselves as immortal. Rather than terminal. Hence, as children we experience life everywhere. Then, as teenagers we see ourselves as invincible. Next, as young adults, we go on a mission to find our niche in this world. Finally, we confront the two defining features of death: given and inevitable.
Certainly, Dick acknowledges, death comes for us all. However, if we possess the will to face it, that enables us to focus on the adventure of the now.
In the 1890s, Billy Borden lived in a fancy house in Chicago. At the age of sixteen, Billy’s father sent him on a trip around the world. Because Billy’s father wanted to expose him to other cultures. But Billy’s father was quite displeased when Billy returned. For Billy came back captured by the desperate need of millions of people. This clashed with his father’s plans to have Billy take over the family business — the Borden Dairy Company.
While in Cairo, however, Billy contracted spinal meningitis. He succumbed it at the age of twenty-five. But Billy always put Christ first. As one of his Yale colleagues said, a life surrendered to Christ would always be just right.
Billy left a legacy of no reserve, no retreat, and no regret. So when our time comes to leave this earth, Dick exhorts, let others say of us that we had a life lived just right.
Today’s question: What most helps you feel touched by the eternal? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Measured in minutes – life?”
