Will anything we do today in the physical world matter in eternity?  Consider the vision of the eternal kingdom shared by John and Isaiah.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Rev. 21:1-2, NIV).

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it (Rev. 21:24, 26).

And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)

²¹ They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. ²²….my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. ²³ They will not labor in vain… (Isaiah 65:21-23).

These passages, along with others, describe a future that is much different from what we often imagine when we think of heaven.  John sees heaven coming down to a new earth, one that has been purified by fire (see 2 Peter 3:10). He sees a massive city filled with the glory of the nations. Isaiah sees work and labor as a part of this wonderful future.  What does all of this have to do with our work today?

Our work today enters into eternity.  

John’s vision of a glorious city also includes the kings of the earth bringing their “splendor” into it. So, it appears that some of the splendor of this earth will somehow be carried into eternity! Isaiah, in 60:6-17, mentions camels, gold and incense, flocks, ships and wood that is brought to adorn God’s sanctuary. So, it appears that when our work reflects God’s goodness, justice, creativity, and care for people, something of that work may enter the new earth!

Some leaders work hard to build and create wealth with no thought of how it may impact eternity. But serving leaders work to develop the best art, craftsmanship, creativity and products that reflect God’s goodness. They seek to create “splendor” that will enter into eternity.

Our work today endures in eternity.

Isaiah’s vision of eternity includes people building houses, planting vineyards and working with their hands. The picture Scripture paints is not an eternity without work—but work without the curse! No frustration, no futility, no wasted effort, no sweat. Just the joy of creating, developing, and filling the earth with beauty and goodness.

Some leaders look forward to completing their work and live for the times they are not working. But serving leaders embrace work to glorify God, now and in eternity.

Our work today expands in eternity

John’s vision indicates that those in the new earth “will reign for ever and ever.”  This is the ultimate fulfillment of the original commission from Genesis 1:28 which we examined in a previous issue. While our current work partially fulfills this mandate, it will be fully expanded and realized in eternity. We will exercise authority and power free from sin—to fill the earth with God’s goodness.    

Some leaders sharpen their leadership capacity only for present success. But serving leaders develop their leadership muscles in preparation for eternal impact.  

Your work today matters! From creation to eternity, scripture consistently affirms the value of human work.   

For further reflection and discussion:

• What elements of my current work most fully express God’s beauty, creativity and goodness?  What would it be like to have something of what I have done here on earth brought to Him as a part of the “splendor of the nations”? How does that energize me to do my best in my work?  
• In what way would it be energizing to think of my current work continuing in eternity? Are there things that I have always dreamed of doing that I might be able to accomplish in eternity?
• In what ways am I developing my leadership capacity in my daily work?  How might God use these skills to allow me to rule in eternity? What more can I do to prepare for that time?
• Reflect on the following passages that provide more context to the principles we examined in this issue: Psalm 8:6;  Isaiah 60:6-17, 65:17-25; Daniel 7:27; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 5:10, 21:1-21; and 22:1-5. 

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler 

If you would like a single document with all four issues from this series, click here for a PDF copy. 

*Many of the thoughts in this series come from Jordan Raynor’s book “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” which I highly recommend.

We’ve looked at Moses’ leadership from many different perspectives as he led through some victories and also tough times. But hidden in the chapters of specific incidents about which we read I find the greatest challenge Moses faced: leading in between. Think about it, for forty years Moses led the nation of Israel around and around in the desert waiting for everyone from that generation to die. They had left the past behind, but the dream of the future was still a distant goal. It was leadership going nowhere except to funerals! By the most conservative estimates, one million people died during those 40 years. That’s about 68 funerals a day! I like baptisms, child dedications, new members’ classes, weddings, sales parties, etc. They are signs of growth and moving forward. But what leader likes funerals or leading when the goal is far in the future?

While Moses’ situation was extremely unusual, there may be times when we are called to lead when the way forward is not clear or the usual marks of progress are not available. It was not Moses’ fault that they would not reach the promised land and it was not a result of poor leadership. When we find ourselves in that desert experience what can we learn from Moses about how servant leaders deal with these periods?

Surrender your own dreams.

When he began leading Moses at least had something to look forward to accomplish, he was going to lead a nation into a new land. That’s enough to get any leader’s adrenaline moving! Moses anticipated a couple months journey through the desert. Instead, he got forty years of in between leadership. To keep leading, Moses had to surrender his own dreams of grand success. There are no awards, no prizes, no coveted speaking engagements for those who lead in the desert. Desert leadership is not fun! Moses could not have lead in this desert before he first had his own desert training. Death to self is required before anyone can do this and only servant leaders are willing to sign up for these jobs!

Keep people moving.

For forty years, Moses kept people moving. Some of it was practical; they had to find new places for water and graves! But I think Moses also realized that even in the desert places of life, people need direction and they need leaders that motivate them to keep moving. I would be tempted to find a shade tree and wait for the next generation! But Moses, day after day, sounded the call to pack up move on.

Focus on the eternal.

What kept Moses going all these years? Certainly it wasn’t the direction they were going or the desire to achieve great things. It wasn’t the hope of a promotion or increased salary. As I reflect on what kept him going I conclude that when all the external things leaders look for were stripped away, Moses was left with the most important, his relationship with the One who called him. He was able to look past the funerals, past the complaints, past the sand in his tent and keep eternity in perspective.

“He was looking ahead to his reward.” (Hebrews 11:26) His focus on the eternal allowed him to persevere through the desert and remain effective as a leader.

As I reflect on Moses’ leadership in the desert, I want to honor those among us whom God has called to lead in places that may seem to not have the recognition and honor of coveted leadership positions. I salute those who work behind the scenes, those who are serving daily to make someone else’s dream come true, those who are called to lead others through a transition and then fade into the background, the interim pastors and small business owners. May God put your names close to Moses’ in His hall of fame!

The background reading for this issue is: Numbers 33

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what way is my present leadership ‘in between’ the past and the future?
• What are the things to which I must die to be able to lead people through a time with no visible progress?
• How can I motivate people to keep moving, when the ultimate goal seems out of reach?
• What can I do today that will help me focus on the eternal rather than my current situation?