Know

. . . so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you . . . 

 - From Ephesians 1

My understanding of Eternity has grown through the years, and I think it is because I have wished it to do so. Our eagerness to learn can directly impact our ability to understand new things. I think that, also, there have been the prayers of others, that have specifically asked for me to grow in knowledge and wisdom, even as they have prayed the same for others.

Their prayers, plus your willingness to grow and change, is key to gaining the awareness of Eternal things.

John Lennon said once, something about his ability to see things clearly, about life and the world, that are right there before him. But while he can see these things, most people cannot. I have heard a lot of artistic and creative people make similar comments. He said "I'm either insane, or a genius!" That's the problem with deeper understanding . . . with understanding can come great disappointment, that we are so far from where we will be, where we can be.

Paul's prayer to the Ephesians is his prayer for us, as well. We are the recipients of all of his letters. If he prayed that their eyes be opened, he has also prayed that your eyes would be opened. This is a prayer we need to say, for each other, especially now in the era of COVID. We need eyes to see, and we need the eyes of our hearts opened. We need the help of God's spirit. He can understand what's happening . . . but we have to pray for understanding, others have to pray for us, we have to be willing, and then we have to want to change, if that's what's required (the "change" piece is the one that proves so problematic!)

There is a lot about life, death, the universe, eternity . . . so many great concepts . . . that we can know more about. Let's have the eagerness to know about these things. For, Eternity is all around us. We are immersed in it. Let us embrace that and apply that perspective to today's problems.