Chapter The Concept of Eternity

Living in light of the infinite

A Pilgrimage of Water and Time

I remember the first time I saw the river. It was a small stream, barely more than a trickle, cascading down a mountainside. Yet, even in its infancy, there was a sense of purpose, a direction, a relentless forward motion. As it gathered strength, carving its path through the landscape, it became a wider, more powerful force, carrying with it the weight of the mountains and the whispers of the wind.

The river flowed through fields of emerald green, forests of deep emerald, and villages of weathered stone. It mirrored the world around it, reflecting the changing seasons, the fleeting joys and sorrows of humanity. It was a constant presence, a witness to the unfolding drama of life.

But its journey didn't end there. The river eventually flowed into the ocean, a vast, timeless expanse that seemed to hold all of time and space within its depths. As the river met the ocean, it lost its identity, yet it also found its true purpose – becoming part of something infinitely larger than itself.

A Timeless Destination

This image of the river, its journey, and its final destination resonated with me. It sparked a reflection on the concept of eternity in the Christian faith. If we see life as a river, constantly flowing and changing, then eternity becomes the ocean—a boundless expanse that transcends time and space.

Just as the river finds its purpose in the ocean, the Christian faith speaks of a life beyond the limitations of this physical realm, an eternal life that transcends death. It's a concept that can be both comforting and challenging. Comforting because it suggests a continuation of life, a sense of being loved and cared for beyond the boundaries of this world. Challenging because it requires us to understand a realm beyond our comprehension, a reality that lies beyond the grasp of our senses.

Living in the Flow

Yet, perhaps the beauty of eternity is not in fully comprehending it, but in living in light of its existence. If we truly believe that this life is but a moment in the grand scheme of eternity, then it changes the way we approach each day, each moment.

The fleeting nature of time becomes a precious gift. The river, in its journey, teaches us that every drop matters. Every moment, every choice, every act of love or kindness, contributes to the overall flow of life. It is in the present, in the here and now, that eternity takes shape.

A River of Grace

Eternity is not a distant destination; it's an invitation to live more deeply, to love more fully, to embrace the present with a sense of wonder and gratitude, knowing that our lives are woven into a tapestry that extends beyond the boundaries of time and space.

The Christian concept of grace, the belief that we are loved and accepted unconditionally by God, offers a profound understanding of eternity. It's a grace that transcends our own limitations, our mistakes, and our shortcomings. It's a grace that flows like a river, carrying us towards a destination we may not fully understand, yet one we can trust in with all our heart.

The river flows, the ocean awaits. Does this image of eternity inspire you to live with greater intention, to love with greater abandon, to find meaning in the everyday? Maybe the true essence of eternity is not in knowing what lies beyond this life, but in living each moment as if it were an eternal gift.