For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT)
Financial planners tell us that in order to have enough money to last throughout our retirement, we need to start saving/investing the moment we leave school and enter the workforce. It will take about 30 to 40 years in order to save up enough to last the 20 or so years of retirement. Additionally, we need to make sure we are putting enough into that retirement account each month. Putting in a dollar per month for 30 years won’t cut it. It needs to be around 10 to 15 percent of the monthly income we bring in. That’s a pretty huge sacrifice per month when there are other bills to pay. Once kids are introduced into the equation, the number (and dollar amount) of bills goes even higher, saving gets really difficult.
However, we are told to keep our eyes on the future. The money isn’t going into a hole somewhere. It is being saved so that we may each have an enjoyable retirement. We are investing in our future. But, it takes a lot of planning and perseverance.
So, how far ahead does God plan for our time with Him in eternity? Well, check out our verse today, “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” Did you catch it? He began planning for our future “before the beginning of time!” Whoa! God has been planning for our future, a glorious future, a perfect future, a future in His presence, an eternal future, since before the world even began. And, the payment for that future? The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Jesus planned to lay down His life for each one of us before any humans were even created. He not only had to make sure it was planned well, but He had to persevere for thousands of years before His plan could be fulfilled. Of course, He also had to persevere through all the trials that His time on earth brought to Him – including the cross.
Spend some time today, and every day, thanking God for His planning and sacrifice that has made your heavenly future a possibility.
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