145: Life Goes On

Hello and welcome to The Hope Podcast. I’m Aneel Aranha. Today we are going to talk about how no matter what happens, life goes on!

Robert Frost said, "In three words, I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on." Think about that for a moment. People die. Relationships end. Businesses collapse. Killer diseases strike. Bombs fly. But life goes on. If we can digest and accept this little fundamental truth of existence, we will lead much happier and more peaceful lives.

Let me explain. [Caution: you may not like what you are about to hear .] We are going to die one day. Not thinking about it is not going to change the fact. Every moment we live brings us one moment closer to death. What is going to change after we die? Nothing. Entire civilizations have disappeared; what is one life going to matter. People might mourn us for a little while, some a little longer than others, but then we are forgotten, and soon it is like we never existed. Why? Because life goes on. [I did warn you.]

So, we try to leave behind legacies so we can be remembered. But by whom? The people we know will soon die, too, so we must want to be remembered by future generations. Such egotism! Therefore, we write books, record albums, construct buildings, build corporations, and do other seemingly "grand" things, all for future generations to enjoy. Consequently, it seems like we live on after our deaths, but we are not in the picture, so how does it matter to us personally? 

If we grasp this elemental truth, we will pay heed to what Jesus said: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

We expend so much energy on securing the things of this world, including the admiration of people, when none of it truly matters in the grand scheme of things. Please give this some serious thought. It really doesn't! So, why don't we expend some effort on securing the things of heaven that will last forever? This will have two results.

One, the pressure is off us as we don't have to go crazy trying to please people or frantically try to accomplish things! Two, we will focus on heaven, which means we will do what is pleasing to God. 

And this will leave a mark on the world far more meaningful than any songs sung or books written. Look at the apostles, for instance. They all did wonderful things because they loved and served God. But, one time, after they did all these wonderful things, Jesus said to them: "Good going! However, do not rejoice that you did all these things, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (see Luke 10:20). Think about that too.
 
May the Spirit be with you.