A desire for instant gratification can distance us from the divine truth that this life is a stepping-stone to an eternal future with God and the ultimate fulfillment of the soul.

A bucket list focused on paths to self-satisfaction may cause us to miss the opportunity to become the people God wants us to be and to do the things He wants us to do.

God has prepared so much for those who love Him.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

It’s easy to lose perspective in life and get distracted by so many insignificant things. We can be so ‘busy’ that we don’t make time for the things and the people that will change our life.

God wants us to make time for Him.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Making time for God in quiet contemplation and reflection allows God’s divine light to penetrate our lives.   As we make God the center of our lives, God shows us the ‘clutter’ that gets in the way of our spiritual progress.

One of the turning points in my life involved me making a decision to devote time to studying the Bible. I signed up for a ‘Learn the Bible’ course on Saturday mornings with a group of Christians and I gave up some ‘clutter’ that was preventing me from getting closer to God. I used to spend my Saturday mornings shopping, browsing the Mall for new fashion.

Why? Because I was investing in an external version of beauty and I was trying to ‘dress for success’ as a professional business woman.

As I grew spiritually I got some feedback from my teenage daughter one day. She said, “Mom I just want to tell you that you have lost your sense of style. Look at your clothes! Your socks don’t even match!”

I had a little laugh with God that day as I discerned that I was making spiritual progress, no longer investing in an external version of beauty.

This is guidance from St. Paul

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

This very day we have an opportunity to do those good deeds that will earn us our eternal reward.

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8

As a child, I suffered abuse that caused very serious psychological scars. My coping strategy as a little girl was ‘repression’ which meant I would hide the bad memories in my ‘unconscious mind’. When I turned forty I began to remember what happened. The memories that came flooding back caused me to be full of rage and resentment.

When I realized I would never have closure or an apology I was consumed with sorrow and disappointment, feeling robbed of so much.

Then God gave me a very special grace.

Jesus brought me to Calvary in a daily contemplation of His Passion and He helped me to see Him being crucified for our salvation praying:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Why do people hurt children?

It’s the power of evil that causes this tragedy, but that power will not have the final word if we can pray like Jesus did:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

The more I contemplated the Passion of Christ, the more I fell in love with Jesus and the more willing I became to forgive those that had hurt me and in that willingness to forgive I found freedom, freedom from anger and resentment.

As I began to look into the eternal horizon, I began to heal and hope. I realized that although I did lose some time on earth, God had prepared an eternity of tomorrows in Heaven for me.

The crucifixion of Jesus wasn’t the end of His story. Jesus rose from the dead and opened the gates of Paradise to those who will believe in Him.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

We can live our life as though time is limited and in finite supply and that perspective might cause us to be selfish and concerned first and foremost with our own happiness. But if we truly understand our identity in Christ we will live this life as though time is precious but ultimately unlimited. This precious time on earth must be dedicated to God, for His pleasure and then God will give us eternal time where we will enjoy an intimacy with Him and a peace and joy with Him and with one another that is indescribable.

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21

When the eternal light touches the present, the present becomes a gift to be fashioned for God’s glory and by dedicating ourselves to satisfying God, we will find true joy and peace right now in the present.

Look into the eternal horizon every day at 3pm. Three o’clock is the Time Jesus died for us. See Our Holy Lord opening the gates of Paradise for you and me and all who will believe in Him and pray for His grace upon all souls. May the infinite love of Our Lord Jesus fill you with hope and release you from any anger and resentment you hold in your heart. See Our Holy Lord being crucified for the salvation of souls and pray for God’s love and Holy Spirit to silence the power of the evil one on earth. May the eternal love of God be with you today, tomorrow and always!

Jesus You are My Heart’s Desire!  Thank You for saving me!

Learn more about The Mercy Movement here.