The Tip of the Rope

I once watched a riveting preacher on YouTube teach about living in the light of eternity. In his teaching, he used a visual aid that powerfully illustrated the brevity of this life compared to the endlessness of the next.

 As he preached, he held a long, white rope—about 20’-- coiled in his hand. He then pulled out about four inches of the rope’s tip, which was painted bright red. The red portion of the cord, he said, represents our life on this earth. 

 After a dramatic pause, he unfurled the rest of the rope onto the length of the stage. Imagine that this white portion extends off into infinity, he continued. This section represents eternity. He went on to say that we spend most of our time consumed with the red part of the rope and neglect the white.

 It was a powerful illustration, showing the striking difference between how brief this life is compared to eternity.

 So, how do we focus on the white portion of the rope when the red demands all our attention?

 Work, family, health—pressures of this life claim our attention. It’s challenging to think about the eternal things to come when you are in the throes of a family crisis or a health scare. Money, drink, leisure--pleasures of this life also drain our attention. It’s difficult to remember eternity when you are sipping a pina colada beachside with your pals. Whether it’s the demands or pleasures of this life, all that seems to exist sits right before you.

 The Scriptures help us to see and focus on the eternal, unseen things. But  it can be helpful to use whatever tools we can to remind ourselves about future realities. I have a long piece of white string on my desk with just the tip painted red. It helps me to keep a fresh perspective on time.

 I’ve also taken to calling pains and annoyances “a light momentary affliction.”

  2 Corinthians 4:16-17

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

 For instance, I’m currently dealing with the pain of plantar fasciitis. Not a life-threatening condition, but it does stop me from enjoying long walks and standing at my desk to work. Whenever someone asks me about this, I briefly update them and say, “Light, momentary affliction.” This helps me keep time in perspective.

Regarding pleasure, the parable of the Seed and Sower also helps me focus on the white part of the rope. In the third of four scenarios he laid out, Jesus Christ spoke of seeds planted among thorns:

  Luke 8: 7

Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

 Then, he explained:

  Luke 8:14

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures, and they do not mature.

 In other words, pursuing riches and pleasures chokes the Word of God, and one never grows up spiritually. Being sidetracked by pleasure is a temptation for me because I am a fun-loving person. Let’s just say I would make a crummy Puritan. I can slip down a rabbit hole and spend hours watching funny cat videos. I’ve never said no to a chocolate croissant. So, I constantly have to remind myself that while God has given us all things to enjoy, I must keep things in balance. Riches and pleasures of this world can choke the Word of God in my life, if I let them.

 We all have pressures to deal with and pleasures to enjoy, but we can still keep eternity at the forefront of our thinking.

  1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 We are to set our full expectations on the return of Jesus Christ and not become consumed with the tiny tip of red at the end of the rope.