Key Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 – “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

Devotional:

Spoiler alert: Marriage is hard. Ok, that wasn’t a spoiler. When two individuals from different backgrounds, with different interests, personalities and perspectives become one, challenges are inevitable. Add living in this world and we know it is not a matter of if trouble will come, but when. In this world, we will have trouble. This, however, was not God’s original design.

In the beginning, there was God. He has no beginning and no end. He is the beginning of all things. In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve to walk in freedom with Him for eternity. Made to reflect His image to the world around them, God blessed Adam and Eve. After blessing, He commissioned them: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.”

We know what came next. Satan introduced doubt. He convinced the couple to question the Word, worth and work of God. Adam and Eve chose disobedience. They doubted God’s goodness and sovereignty and sought control based on their circumstances. Sin entered their marriage and the world. As a result, humanity was caught between time as it is now on earth and eternity with our Creator.

I’m not much different from Adam and Eve. Limited by the scope of what I know and can see, I struggle to trust God’s plan. When I can’t see the way out from pain or understand the direction I am headed, I’m tempted to seek comfort in the things of this world. I wrestle with walking in obedience today and trusting God with tomorrow. All too often I find myself longing for something “more.”

God promises to “satisfy the desire of every living thing.” What is it you desire? What do you desire in your marriage? Perhaps it’s as simple as a desire for your spouse to share your interests. My husband would be thrilled if I not only watched football with him but made the effort to understand it. Maybe you are in a season where it is a desire for provision, for the daily needs to be met, or for children, joy, healing, reconciliation, wisdom, self-control…the list goes on and on. For many of you, the desire is for your spouse to know and walk in the saving grace of Jesus. You know that if they understood the depth of God’s love for them, it would have the potential to change everything about everything.

We have been made for eternity by God and for God. The experiences and relationships encapsulated by our time on earth will never fully satisfy our souls. They are neither permanent nor perfect. Odds are there was a day when you thought, “When I am married, that’s when I’ll be satisfied.” Well, are you? Of course not! C.S. Lewis said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” This is not our home.

Sin separated us from an eternity fully satisfied in the presence of God. But God, being rich in mercy, did not allow sin to have the final say. He sent Jesus on a rescue mission. Through His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him when our days on earth are done. Until that day, we have a mission. God’s desire is that all would know Him. We have been rescued to be a part of the rescue team in order that ONE MORE would know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

While we wait, we will have trouble.
While we wait, we will have desires.
While we wait, we will have questions.
While we wait, we can choose to walk by faith, trusting God is who He says He is and that He will do what He has promised to do.
While we wait, we can share the good news that there is rest for our souls, and that rest is found in the person and work of Jesus.

God makes all things beautiful in its time. This beauty is not merely physical or aesthetic. Beauty is found in God’s perfect timing. Our lives on earth are temporary. One day we will see God face to face and walk with Him for eternity. Until that day comes, let us set our desires and our minds not on earthly things, but on the kingdom of God. We have been made for eternity, on purpose and for a purpose. Let us walk in it.

Deepening questions:

•  Do you ever question the word, worth and work of God? Why or why not?
• How does knowing you have been made for eternity impact your life here on Earth?
•  How can you live today with an eternal mindset?

Further reading:
Hebrews 13:14-16, John 15:19, John 16:33, Philippians 3:20, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 3, Hebrews 11:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Ephesians 2:4-8, Colossians 3:2