We all, in one way or another, have dealt with bankers. Probably on both personal and professional levels. Many of us also have had dealings with travel agents on occasion, whether for business or personal purposes. Have you ever considered that in one sense they are pretty much the same? Think about it. When you begin working with them, they ask essentially the same three questions:
1. Where are you?
2. Where do you want to go?
3. How are you going to get there?
Finances and travel are important. For people lacking expertise in those areas, it is helpful to turn to professionals with understanding about what we hope to accomplish. The questions above are very revealing. Whether we are concerned about our finances or how to reach a desired destination, knowing where we are, where we want to go, and how we intend to get there are important considerations.
The same is true for setting goals in the workplace. Companies and organizations all take time to ask the same questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go in the future (over the next year, the next three months, or whatever)? And what is our strategy – how are we going to get from here to there?
However, have you ever asked similar questions regarding your spiritual condition? Many people never do. But it is a fact: No matter how young or old we are, one day we all will die. Life is 100% terminal. Which leads to questions like, “What’s next? What will happen when my life on earth comes to an end?”
My intent is not to seem morbid, but realistic. Just as we would consult with a banker, travel agent, or another type of consultant with the questions above, it makes sense to ask similar ones about our eternal destiny. To fail to do so is extremely short-sighted.
What are your answers to these three, worded slightly differently, spiritual questions?
1. Where did I come from?
2. Why am I here?
3. What ultimately happens to me? In other words, what do you think happens when you die?
Years ago, when I finally was willing to honestly and openly seek answers to those questions, I also turned to a consultant: the Word of God – the Bible. Here are a few of the things I discovered:
Where did I come from? “For You [God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Why am I here? “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
What happens when you die? “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We can receive forgiveness, redemption and eternal life – but only through Christ.
The depth and scope of what the Bible teaches is beyond measure, but regarding your spiritual future, the passages cited above are a good place to start. It is never too soon to consider eternity.
Ken Korkow lives in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., where he serves as an area director for CBMC. This is adapted from his “Fax of Life” column. Used with permission.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- Can you relate to the three questions introduced at the beginning of this Monday Manna – Where are you? Where do you want to go? How are you going to get there? If you have used them in the past, in what ways have they proved helpful?
- How are these questions especially useful in terms of setting goals, whether for the short-term or the long-term?
- Why do you think people willingly ask these questions in relation to financial planning, traveling, or goal-setting, but are reluctant to ask similar questions about their eternal destiny? How about you – have you ever considered these questions concerning your spiritual condition, not only for now but for the time when your life on earth comes to an end? How does they make you feel?
- What would you say your response to the questions, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?” Does the declaration from Ephesians 2:10 help you with the answer, or does it make you feel more confused? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: John 3:16; Romans 3:10, 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:5
Challenge for This Week
During the coming week, reconsider the questions raised in this week’s Monday Manna in terms of your eternal destiny. Do you have the answers to these questions settled in your mind? If not, find a trusted friend – perhaps in your CBMC group if you are part of one – with whom you can discuss this. If you have found the answers to these questions and are confident about not only about this life but the life yet to come, think about and pray for someone God might lead your way who has yet to seriously consider these questions. Perhaps you could help in directing that person to the answers he or she needs.