Our Minds are Avid Time Travelers
Our minds are time travelers—constantly moving between the past, present, and future. But what if we could harness this unique gift to live with greater purpose? Imagine if we used our ability to foresee the future, not just as a mental exercise, but as a tool to shape how we live today. This is the power of perspective.
Humans are the only creatures who can track the past, present, and future, a gift that allows us to reflect on our mortality and live with purpose. But why did God give us this ability? Perhaps it’s so we might regularly reflect on our own mortality, allowing it to shape how we live today and focus on what truly matters. Perhaps so that we might live “not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.
-CS Lewis
Monks and Skulls
John Mark Comer explains that in ancient times, monks used to keep a candle, a Bible, and an actual human skull on their desks. They would also place the skull on their prayer bench to keep their mortality before them as they prayed. The skull served as a reminder: “Life is fleeting. I am going to die. I do not want to waste my life on trivial things.” At the same time, it pointed them toward the broader hope of eternity with God—a future where all things will be made new. This dual perspective grounded them in both the brevity of life and the beauty of the eternal, encouraging them to focus on what truly matters. This practice wasn’t about becoming morbid or masochistic; it was about becoming joyfully present and awake to the miracle of life. It helped them focus on the things that mattered most.
The practice of monks using a skull to remind themselves of mortality teaches us the importance of perspective. Just as they grounded their lives in the brevity of life and the hope of eternity, we too are invited to live with the end in mind. When we shift our focus from our own mortality to the larger hope that God is going to set all things right and “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5), it has massive impact on our daily lives.
Practical Steps for the Modern Busy Woman
This may feel challenging, especially if you’re juggling a busy season of motherhood, work, or both. While you might not be ready to put a skull on your desk, there are still small, meaningful shifts you can make to stay grounded in a bigger, long-term perspective.
Here are a few ideas to bring that eternal focus into your everyday life:
- Place a verse, prayer beads, a holding cross, a life mission statement, or a list of your highest values in a spot you’ll see often—whether that’s your kitchen counter, your workspace, or even beside your bed.
- Dream and co-create with God—ask Him how He’s inviting you to live with eternity in mind today. What do you really want your life to be about? Who do you want to become?
- Live boldly—take action on the dreams and ambitions He’s placed within you, even if it’s one small step at a time.
- Wake up to the possibilities in your day, embracing the truth that each moment is an opportunity to live with purpose.
- Show up to your people and your work with intention, bringing meaning and purpose to everything you do, whether it’s a task at home or a project at work.
Conclusion
Yes, there is brokenness and suffering. We are in a battle, and spiritual warfare is real. Yet anchoring ourselves in the truth of our ultimate destination equips us to handle the ups and downs of this broken world. We know we have a Savior who is holding on to us and who holds our ultimate future in His hands.
If you woke up to your beautiful future and kept your “true country” in mind throughout your day, how would that change the way you live today? What small, daily shifts could you make to align your choices with the hope and purpose God has given you?
Further Resources:
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry“- John Mark Comer
“Domestic Monastery“- Ronald Rolheiser
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