We also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body. – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

It’s hard to grasp that eternity is never-ending, but this little illustration may help. Imagine that we could empty the largest body of water in the world, the Pacific Ocean, and fill it with sand as tall as the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Now imagine that a bird flies by and takes one grain of sand off that sand pile once every 100 billion years. How long will it take for that sand pile to disappear? We can consider that amount of time to be equal to one second in eternity.

We weren’t created just to live on earth for 60 or 80 years. Every baby born on earth is headed toward eternity. You are headed toward eternity. You were made for it. You are meant to experience eternity in the fullness of life with the Father. For a Christian, death does not exist. Death is simply the doorway you must pass through to transfer into the realm of eternity.

Paul understood this when he wrote about what our true ambition should be, whether at home or absent—to “be pleasing to Him.” Paul said that because he lived with his heart fixed on eternity. Accordingly, he wanted to spend his time in a way that pleased God.

When you live for eternity, you discover meaning and hope in today as pleasing God becomes your purpose.

Check out more from Tony Evans @ Tonyevans.org

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



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