D
De_Maria
Guest
As one who lived much of his life without caring about eternal matters, I understand the question thoroughly.
I can’t give you an objective answer. Mine is purely subjective. But it made all the difference in the world. But you can choose to believe it or not.
Some background. I was born in to a Catholic family. From a very young age I began to have doubts in God’s existence. By 11, I was an atheist. Until the age of 30. At that age, my wife conceived our first child. When she gave me the news, I went into a euphoric state. And it was in that state, that I began to realize that God existed. In fact, I could see the evidence of His existence in everything. I wasn’t aware of this verse:
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
But at that moment, I was living it.
I thought about God a great deal during the following 9 months. But when our child was born, it came back. I was in the hospital room and I thanked God for His gift. Then I thought of my mom and I went to tell her the good news. When I approached the public phone, (no cells in those days), I heard God’s voice. He simply asked me, “When will you keep your promises?” Then, in one instant, He showed me my whole life, highlighting the times that I had made and broken promises.
From that time, I knew that eternity existed and I changed my life accordingly. I want to live in eternity with that Being whom I have come to know is pure love.
Those people who have commented and think of eternity as a long time, don’t understand. In one split second, God showed me 30 years of life. Time does not exist in eternity. We can’t comprehend the extent of God’s love.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
And we can’t comprehend the pain of an eternal life without it.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.