Eternal Destiny

We all long to have meaning in our lives, to make them count for something. We want to be significant. The value of our lives has everything to do with how we view the spiritual world. If we believe that our eighty years here are the whole tomato, that there's nothing beyond, then where is the significance. If we are merely more advanced animals, then the old eat, drink and be merry adage applies. Or, in the beer commercial vernacular, "You only go around once in life, so grab all the gusto you can." It sounds happy enough, but upon further reflections it really terribly fatalistic. If, however, you believe in an afterlife, an eternity, then this life takes on a whole new meaning. It means that this life counts and that it has an effect on the forever which lies beyond our meager mortal years here. For at the end of this life there is a God waiting to judge and reward us, the fruits of which may well be permanent. Some folks believe in destiny, but what we must be concerned about is our eternal destiny, the disposition of our souls. I believe that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sinful lives and that only by accepting his payment can we qualify for the kind of afterlife we all desire. That's what the bible says. To do otherwise is to resign ourselves to the other eternal destiny. Hell. We should, therefore, live lives and make choices which keep us ever pointed towards the destiny we would choose. Forever is such a very long time ... let's not waste it!

Eternal Destiny
If there is not an afterlife
And each man's final breath
Marks the end of his existence
Then all roads lead to death
So what matter how he lives his life
For all is vanity
If we are born, and merely die
Without an eternal destiny
A man condemned to such a life
Whose world view is so
Is robbed of purpose, for he spends
His whole life on death row
Yet, a man who lives a life of faith
Who trusts in a God above
Can look beyond these earthly years
Through the light of hope and love
Finding purpose that the other man
Neither sees nor comprehends
Because no life could be more precious
Than a life which never ends
Woe to the man who shall discover
Who finally understands, too late
That there is life abundant yet
Beyond death, and heaven's gate
But those who sought and found the truth
How blessed they shall be
For having built their lives upon
An eternal destiny
By Frank Carpenter ©