Anticipating Departure and Preparing for Eternity

When we fail to anticipate our departure from this world, we could be caught without our suitcase packed. Planning for eternity requires a purposeful examination of our hearts.

Prepare for departure!

The anticipation of an upcoming trip builds. As your departure date nears, you consider the things you must not forget. Items come to mind, you add them to a list or place them in an open suitcase or duffle. Either way, the planning and consideration of “must-haves” and “don’t-forgets” has you focused on getting everything in order.

Oh, not for a cruise, a weekend getaway, the trip of a lifetime, or an overnight family visit, but packing for eternity. It’s coming. And it may be closer than we all imagine.

What would I pack you ask?

Fabulous question. Especially since, as of this reading, there is still time to consider where you are in the trip process. 

First. Do you realize you are leaving?

Second. Do you have a suitcase open, ready to receive what you need to take?

Planning--anticipating eternity

We are all in the same condition—daily rolling through 24 hours. Each of us exchanging our 1440 minutes for something. Our most valued desires vying for space around the non-negotiables like work, school, paying bills, or appointments.

The world is constantly telling us what to pack, how to pack, and how much we need to pack more of the world into each day. 

The world, the flesh, and the devil encourage fleshly pursuits and temporal trappings. Heaven forbid we become savvy with finances and worldly “gain” but lose our souls. (Mark 8:36)

God has an entirely different packing list. Our Father tells us to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) as we number our days (Psalm 90:12). Sounds like some supernatural packing to me!

Purposeful Living

Forgiveness, faith in God, fearing God above fearing man, praying for our enemies, loving others as we abide, walking in obedience, trusting God and living in such a way that others ask for the reason for our hope ( 1 Peter 3:15 )—that’s counterculture. Giving, serving, doing good to all, especially fellow saints ( Galatians 6:10 ), working while it is still day because the night is coming, packs our days with meaning, and ministers to our souls.

And before we depart, our Father offers us amazing souvenirs, profound experiences, and supernatural encounters. He promises peace that passes understanding every time we ditch anxiety and pray while giving Him thanks. Let’s call that--trusting God. 

Soul rest is offered by simply choosing to learn the way to walk from the One who is The Way. (Matthew 11:28-29)

With God the blessings never stop! Before we even arrive, God is showering us with glorious glimpses of a destination we cannot fathom. 

Abiding in Christ and humbly obeying His precepts, as we stay yoked with our Savior, packs our days with purpose. This is true even when we never accomplished a single item on our to-do list.

Eternal Perspective

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Are you purposefully packing your days or are your days packed by others?

We might reconsider if we are spending most of our time planning for our best life now instead of anticipating and preparing for eternity.

Have you overpacked your days and find yourself stretched and stressed?

Maybe unloading every care through prayer would be a wise next step. Confess where you are, where you are struggling, then ask Him to reveal to you the things He never asked you to carry. Instead of straining to bear the weight of crammed days come to the One who promises His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Now that is the kind of bundle I can embrace.

"Revel in the wonder that you must fight your way to heaven, and God will see to it that you win."

John Piper

Praying we all abound in the Lord’s work while growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. May our days be packed with an eternal mindset, a biblical worldview, and an unshakable hope in God and His goodness.