We can compare our time here on earth to a journey in an unknown country. On this journey we will experience and learn many things. But when our journey here on earth is over we go to the place where we will be forever, in eternity, and then the question is if we will have gained any wisdom here on earth that will have value for eternity?
The experience of life can be compared to a student who is going on a study trip in a different country. Maybe the student only thinks about having a nice time while he is in the other country. Then when the trip is over, he has wasted all his money and time. The knowledge or “wisdom” he has gained there is from empty entertainment and fun. In other words, at the end he has learned nothing on the trip that is of any value for his studies.
What important things do we gain?
This is exactly how it is for many people here in the world. They are called to live together with Jesus for all eternity, but all they think about while they are here on earth is whether people like them and look up to them. As a result, when their time on earth is over and they enter eternity, everything that they thought is important, and the earthly wisdom that they have gathered are not fitting at all for heaven.
Every human being that is born has a heavenly calling in his heart. But there are many temptations in the world, and as children grow up, they makes choices that decide the kind of “fruits” or “wisdom” they will gain while on earth.
Those who choose to do God’s will, learn true wisdom from the trials that they meet in life. When they say No to their own will and do God’s will, they learn things that will be important in heaven. They bless instead of cursing, love instead of hating, serve instead of controlling others and demanding, give happily instead of taking, etc. As a result, when their journey on earth is over, they will have gained heavenly riches and wisdom which is fitting for their calling and their future together with Jesus.
“For we came into the world with nothing, and we are not able to take anything out.” 1 Timothy 6:7 (BBE).
When we are born into this world we don’t understand anything, but when the time comes to leave this world, we understand many things. All of the experiences, knowledge and wisdom gained in our life remain in our spirit. We come into this world naked and we must leave it naked; we can’t take any of the earthly things with us, but we take with us what lives in our spirit. In this, the rich and the poor are the same. This will be our wealth for all eternity.
How sad it is when people gain only sinful experiences and wisdom about earthly things from their journey of life. At the end of their lives, the only thing one can talk to them about is houses, furniture, clothes, food, and the like, things that they won’t have any use for when their journey here is over.
Jesus knows the journey very well
Wake up to the calling you have! Begin to live with eternity in mind. Make Jesus the Lord and Master in your heart. He knows this journey very well. He Himself has experienced the temptations and difficulties of a human being. He lives in the hearts of those who believe, and leads them by His Spirit so that they end their journey with great heavenly riches.
Those who don’t give in when they are tempted will receive the crown of life. Those who have done God’s will on earth will receive a crown of righteousness. And those who have lived for the good of others will receive an everlasting crown of glory. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (CSB).