Today, as I was walking my dog, I heard a song I haven’t heard in a while and it took me back about fifteen years. The song is “Beyond” by Aaron Geoffrey and is a song I used to love as a teenager. In fact, I used to sing it at church fairly often. It was one of those songs that I would sing if I didn’t have time to prepare a new song or if I was in the mood for an old standby. I can remember singing it on my sixteenth birthday.
Though I had some grasp of what this song was saying then, I think time and life experience has helped me appreciate it even more. And, in twenty years, I’ll probably understand and appreciate it more than I do today should the Lord tarry.
As I listened to the lyrics, I teared up a bit and several thoughts crossed my mind. I thought about loved ones that have passed away (I would travel any distance just to spend an hour with them now). I thought about their faces smiling and cheering me on through life. I hoped once again that their hearts were right with God when they died and that we will be reunited.
As a teenager, I liked the song because it was inspirational – it gave me warm fuzzies. It was easy to sing, and Granny told me that it made her think of Granddaddy (as it it made me think of him too). Hearing it today, I had a completely different reaction.
Today, it reminded me of the fact that this life is so short. We get so caught up in our daily life routines that we often forget our life in these mortal bodies is but a vapor (James 4:14). Eternity is forever. There is no end. Those who have been regenerated (i.e., saved) by Christ will live with Him forever. We will have glorified bodies and we will never die. Without Christ and His salvation, there is only continual and eternal death – Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). Without believing on Him, we cannot be saved from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9).
Maybe you’re thinking, “Whoa! What’s up with the sermonette?!” Here’s my point: The way we view eternity makes a difference in how we view today, tomorrow, and the weeks, months, and years to follow. If this life is all we have, then it is easy to become anxious, frustrated, and angry when our life does not unfold the way we had planned.
When I was little, my plan was to get married at twenty-five, start having babies at twenty-eight, and past that I really had made no plans. All I wanted to was to be married and to be a mommy.
Life has not turned out the way I had planned and Eric and I are still waiting for the special day when we can tell our family and friends that we are expecting. Some days, I have peace about God’s plans for our lives and other days I get focused why I don’t have a child yet in the here and now. I see everyone around me having babies and I get jealous and my heart aches. It’s a normal human emotion, but one that can turn to bitterness quickly if left unchecked.
The song today was a reminder that this life is simply the start of all that is to come. In the scheme of eternity, if I don’t have children, it’s okay. God is in control. His ways are so much higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9). As long as I continue to desire motherhood, I’ll keep on praying, keep on preparing, and keep on believing that God has my destiny in His hands.
What about you? Are you frustrated that life has not turned out the way you hoped? Do you find it hard to believe that God loves you and desires good for you? If you belong to Him, I assure you that He does (Matthew 7:11). If you are waiting on God to bring your spouse into your life, take heart. God is not trying to harm you.
Remember that He sees all, knows all, and understands all. He wants you to trust Him. He wants your heart completely. He wants you to be satisfied in Him. He will unfold your life as He has planned. He’s proven time and time again that we can trust Him (Psalms 37:3-9). If you continue to desire a spouse, don’t weary of taking that request to the Lord; but, as you ask God for your husband or wife, also ask Him to satisfy you. Ask Him to help you be content no matter where you are in your life (Philippians 4:11).
Are you struggling to believe that God has someone for you or that a negative life circumstance will change? Remember, this too shall pass.