This Life Is Not All There Is

Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. [Genesis 5.23-24]

You know what's really interesting about this little blurb about Enoch - besides the fact that "God took him"?

As common lifespans were going both before and after Enoch, his was not even half that of his predecessor and his successor. His father Jared lived 962 years and his son Methuselah lived 969 years. Enoch was only 365 years old when God took him.

This seems significant because one would think (by prevailing thought today) that if God was so pleased with Enoch's life that he would have lived longer than anyone else. But that simply was not the case. Enoch's life was cut short in comparison to his father and his son.

So, what's the point? This point is this: this life is absolutely not all there is. There is a much greater goal than to just live this life to its fullness! Seeking God above all else is key.

How might this thinking impact our lives today here on earth? 

If we genuinely sought God above all else, what might our lives look like? Would we be so concerned with long life? I think not. If we truly walked with God we would, more than anything else, want to be where He is. The only reason not to want to be right with Him in heaven would be to do His will on earth (and specifically in that order).

And, if we can glean anything from Enoch's story, the more pleasing we are to God, the more likely we are to be released from our duty on earth sooner than later so that we might be with God in heaven.

Can I get an AMEN? Probably not. But that is where we should spend some time considering the life and story of Enoch.

Father, like the Apostle Paul once said, it would be far better to be with You in heaven. May I be found so pleasing to You here on earth that You require my presence with You sooner than later. In the meantime, may my life be busy about Your will on earth (as it is in heaven).