It is summertime, and if we interviewed 25 people laying out on the sand, we would get 25 divergent opinions regarding what constitutes eternity. On the cynical end of things, one might say, “From my rotting body flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity” (Edvard Munch).

If someone loves mathematics, they might share Albert Einstein’s view, “Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity.”

But I came across a quote from the wonderful missionary, Amy Carmichael regarding eternity. She was discussing prayer: “Prayer in the name of His beloved Son cannot lose its way in the void. It must find the ear of God.”

“For prayer is not emotion, it is a traffic between earth and heaven, a commerce of love. Our ships set sail for heavenly shores, they do not return empty; it is impossible that they should; but we are not told what tide will bring them back.”

“We think in terms of time; God thinks in terms of eternity. We see the near end of the thread on which are strung our moments, minutes, hours, days like pearls on a string; the other end is out of view and yet the thread is one, indivisible.”

“We call the near end time, and the far end eternity, as though somewhere the thread broke (at death perhaps). But it is not so. WE ARE LIVING IN ETERNITY NOW.”

What an incredible perspective. Regardless of the circumstances of our lives, the good ones (like listening to the giggles of children getting to stay up later in the summertime), or the bad ones (like dealing with rebellious teenagers or a grouchy boss), we are all living in eternity.

Our prayer life should reflect that reality. We don’t need to struggle with prayer, as if we needed to push hard to get His attention. If the gates in front of a mansion are wide open, there is nothing to do but just walk in. We have access to our Father at all times. Because we are LIVING IN ETERNITY RIGHT NOW.

So, this week, enjoy the slower pace of life. Spend as much time as you can outdoors. Play with your children. Sip tea with your spouse. Read a good book. Listen to a fun podcast. And pray.

Pray in your car. Pray in your living room. Pray as you float in the pool. Pray as you snuggle with your kids. Pray on your knees. Pray with your eyes open. Pray as an unending conversation…because we are LIVING IN ETERNITY RIGHT NOW.