Every day, our minds are filled with thousands of thoughts: What we are going to do during the day, evening and night; what we need to get done, what we have done, and on and on it goes.

Many get so entrenched in these thoughts that they simply forget to think about eternity. It is easy to let this happen; after all it seems so far away, but in truth it is not all that far away.

God has blessed us with this life and gives us time to prepare for eternity. He has given the instructions to us — the Bible, on how he wants us to live. He has given the only sacrifice that can remove sin from our soul — Jesus (Hebrews 4). It is left up to man to take advantage of what God has offered.

So thought should be given to spiritual matters, such as the value of our souls. In Matthew 18, Jesus tells of the shepherd that has a lost sheep and how he goes to retrieve the lamb. Then he said, “Even so it is not the will of your father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14). To God, every soul is important. No one is insignificant to God. Each person must realize importance of his or her soul.

We need to comprehend the uncertainty of life. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Everyone must die. Life around us shows us this fact. It matters not the great plans we may lay for the future; death can come when we least expect it. The story is told of the man who wore his overshoes when it rained; brushed his teeth twice a day; saw his doctor twice a year; watched his diet; exercised; golfed every week, but only 18 holes; never smoked or drank and was prepared to live to be 100. His funeral will be this week. Several doctors, two gyms and several health food and exercise equipment companies survive him. He forgot God. That is an old story, but it is just what happens too many times: People are more concerned with this life than they are of the one to come.

Man needs to take advantage of the time God has blessed us and prepare now for eternal life. It is up to us to take advantage of these blessings. It takes a constant effort to keep our mind on the goal set before us. It is easy to get caught up in all the cares of this life and forget to look to the future. God has warned man not to place his trust in the world (1 John 2:15). He wants man to spend eternity in heaven, but he will not force him to go.

Are we excited at the thought of spending eternity in heaven? If not, we should be! Paul spoke of it in this manner: “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better …” (Philippians 1:23). If we are preparing for eternal life, our life will be better here for we will not hold this life quite so dear.

Turn to God, study his word and obey his word. Believe in Jesus as God’s son, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as God’s son, be baptized for the remission of your sins and then remain faithful to God. Think about this.