The Science of Eternity

I am convinced that all peoples in all times and cultures have longed to live forever. This desire to live forever has manifested in a variety of ways during the course of human history. Some examples are the search to find elixirs, the fountain of youth, medication, heart transplants, and religion. In all these things, the main desire is the same, to live forever.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

Eternity is in our hearts. We desire it. We want it. We search for it, but in all the wrong places. John Mark Mcmillan sings, “Everybody is driven for a fountain of youth, but sometimes in these fountains they drown” in the song “Chemicals” from his album Economy.

In recent American culture I believe the desire to live forever has manifested in the environmental movement. Let me explain. I graduated with a bachelor degree in Environmental science. During my Junior year I came to a new understanding of what Environmental science really is at its root. Environmental science is the science of sustainability. Environmental science is all about making things last. This is seen in the movement to protect natural resources from abuse, and the desire to find clean sustainable energy. Whatever is sustainable will ultimately last forever because it will never run out. Environmental science is the science of eternity.

It hit me that I was getting a degree in the science of eternity, and Jesus is the only one who truly grants eternal sustainability in that he freely gives eternal life in himself! Jesus gives living water that quenches eternal thirst (John 4:10-14) but many people are focused upon physical water that won’t quench our desire for eternity. I believe the massive environmental movement is simply a sign that the field is ripe for harvest. Be encouraged! People are seeking after eternity! They are just looking in the wrong place. I pray that we may be faithful ambassadors and disciples of Christ during this time of harvest.