My daughter was about eighteen months old when we took her to the New York State Fair at Syracuse, New York. I held her while we visited the booth where we watched chickens as they were hatching, emerging from their egg shells. The young man attending picked one up and presented a new-born chick to Stephanie, who leaned out from my arms and kissed the tiny ball of feathers. “Oh,” said the young man, “Now that one will have eternal life!” Everyone laughed, and it became a treasured memory for me.

I have never again heard of kissing a newly hatched chick to ensure it’s having eternal life, but it was refreshing that eternal life was mentioned as a sweet and welcome condition. Since that time, I have heard Christians say, “I don’t even think about eternal life. I have enough to take care of here on earth without worrying about an afterlife.” When I heard that, I thought that the incredible gift preached from Christian pulpits has begun to lose its allure, probably for an infinite number of reasons. While the hope of eternity has been a motivator and a powerful theme for Christians, it seems to have sunk in the list of priorities for many. I believe this is due to a separation from Scripture that leaves us without a memory of the words of Jesus , the one who did come to deliver eternal life. He spoke these words to His Father: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

I have always thought that I am one of the “they” about whom Jesus is speaking, and that our “knowing God” is in fact the reason for Jesus’ life on earth. Both the Old and New Testaments make this as clear as human language can express: Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) David’s words in the twenty-third Psalm make it clear that “eternal life” is experienced on earth before death occurs. It is a life that extends beyond the grave because in our lives we have recognized Jesus and his Father and the Holy Spirit. There is no denying that “eternal life” remains a mystery to everyone, But by sending Jesus, God gave tangible access to the invisible love of God for His people.

The little chicken seemed to represent the opposite of eternal life, as it looked so fragile and helpless, as sometimes we must look fragile and helpless to God. In our case there is someone who stands near to us who knows when to lean out and remind us of how very precious we are to Him, and He really does offer eternal life.

Love in Him,

Prue