Past Tense
By Paris Renae
“Later, knowing that all was now completed… Jesus said, “It is finished. With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” John 19:28-30
Sometimes 'the past' brings smiles, sometimes tears.
Trying to forget, many of us live on a fast track to whatever tomorrow holds. Always seeking that next best thing, moment, or breakthrough. Others of us, weighed down, can't move into now.
We get lost forgetting that Jesus has already secured our future (and He's used what has happened for our good). He calls us to live in today. God's plan from the beginning was to make a way for us to always, ever live - abundantly.
Here's the deal: nothing more is needed. We have an eternity of no sickness, no sorrow, one that never ends. Jesus has secured it. As a follower of Jesus we're on that road to eternity, living for a purpose in the here and now and living for a future that we can't fathom the greatness of.
The reverse is true as well. For all who deny Jesus there is an eternity but it's not a party - it’s utter darkness and aloneness - eternally separated from the Light.
Those are black and white and most don't like absolutes. But since our earthly days are numbered and do come to an end, eternity is a big deal. "...He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11b NIV
Here's a partial list of the 'dones' of God: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" Ephesians 1:7a NIV. Done!
"When you believed, you were marked with a seal,the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance" Ephesians 1:13b-14a NIV. Done!
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:6 NIV. Yes, we already have a seat in eternity with Jesus, Done!
All of these are past tense - and all of these are ours. And there are so many more things God has done. Because of Him, we are free to live without past regret or future fear. That's living - not in the past but resting in an already done future.
Oh Father, We get bogged down so easily in what could have been, what should have been. Then we hurry into today in our own steam. Remind our souls of Your ‘dones’. Slow us down and speak life to our hearts so we can live in all You have for us – now and in our great someday. Thank You for such freedom. In Jesus’ Name Amen
© 2019 by Paris Renae. All rights reserved.
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