Eternal Perspective

I have been thinking about a deep subject for the last while. And that subject is: Having an "eternal perspective".  There are three main parts to it, and I'll try to talk just a little about each.

First: looking at the past with an eternal perspective- Now, by "past" I don't just mean last year. I mean the life we had before this that we no longer remember. Yes, I know there was one. By looking at our past through this perspective we can try to explain a few things that we are curious about. Personally I don't think it's our place to find all the answers, but we can look for some and learn what we can. For instance, have you ever wondered where your talents come from? I believe they were given to us before we came to this earth. Perhaps you wonder why you have the family that you do? Or maybe sometimes you wonder why it is that you are the one with a special needs child, or some other trial that makes you ask "why me?" Well, why not you? Perhaps you agreed to do it before you came here. You don't remember why, but if you do your best to bear it some day you will know. I very confidently believe it.

Second: Looking at the present with an eternal perspective- Do you think you always see things the way they are? I believe few of us ever do. We do not look at things as they are happening from any point of view but the little one right in front of us. But there is another perspective we could try our hardest to look through. The eternal one. What is the bigger picture? How will the way I act now effect not only my future, but eternity? How much of it do I really understand? Those are all very deep questions. I encourage any one who reads this to ponder them. Trying to see things with an eternal perspective helps us to bear our trials.

Third: Looking at the future with an eternal perspective-  When we think of the future, what is it we think of? DO we just think of this life? Or do we try to understand what the next will be? Looking to the future with an eternal perspective is one of the most invigorating feelings that I have ever felt. When I ponder what I really am, what I really could be. What life really is. Wow, there is no way my finite mind can comprehend it all. And trying to hard may just drive me crazy. But, it also helps me to keep my life in focus. To make my problems seem smaller. To make my joy more pure. I think I, and all of us are capable of great things. Our potential is endless. OUr growth and learning are endless. Eternity is a circle. No beginning, no end. So what can be accomplished in it? It's hard to imagine isn't it.

Last: (yes, I added one) Don't give up! To anyone who is ready to, who needs encouragement, or just a reminder. You are not as small as you sometimes feel. I personally believe that there is a God who always remembers you, even when you forget Him. Look at things with an eternal perspective. Learn from the past, prepare for tomorrow, and live today. But try and look at the bigger picture. You don't know what may happen, you don't know how much you really are worth. You can't understand how vast your purpose is. For those who don't believe, that is fine, and this is just what I believe. But I would like to ask you one thing- wouldn't it be better to believe, and find out you were wrong, than to not believe and find out you were wrong? I will just add that I believe prayer is the best way to find the answers to these things. Or at least get the help and patience to deal with not knowing until it is time for us to know. Some things may not be meant for us to know yet. But we can always draw strength through prayer. Prayer is the key that unlocks our faith.
I have been feeling all of this for a while, and I find writing my feelings down helps me to think more clearly and release my emotion. And I hope maybe this helped someone else at the same time. =D