A Catholic Perspective
As I’ve journeyed through life’s ups and downs, I’ve come to realize over time that life isn’t so much an endless road at all. Instead, it’s more like a detour or a pit stop on the way to our true destination, that is, Heaven. This revelation did not just come to me, but over time through my faith, particularly from my Roman Catholic education.
Life is only a temporary assignment. It sounds almost like a mission briefing for a secret agent, doesn’t it? And in a way, it is. We’re all on a mission, and our time here on earth is just a short, albeit crucial, part of it.
The Earthly Assignment: A Training Ground for Eternity
In the grand scheme of things, our time here is fleeting. The Bible tells us, “For we are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace” (1 Chronicles 29:15, NLT). This verse is a reminder that our time here is not meant to last forever, but rather to prepare us for what’s to come.
From a Catholic perspective, life on earth is like a boot camp for our souls. Imagine preparing for the greatest marathon of your life. You wouldn’t just show up on race day and expect to finish, let alone win, without training, right? In the same way, our life here is about preparing ourselves for eternity with God.
But preparation doesn’t have to be dull or tedious. Think of it like learning to play an instrument. At first, it’s all about mastering the basics, which can seem repetitive and boring. But as you improve, you start to appreciate the beauty of the music you can create. Life is about finding joy in the little things, knowing that every note, every chord, brings us closer to the divine symphony we’re destined to play.
Seeing Life Through the Eternal Lens
One of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned is seeing life through the lens of eternity. This isn’t just a lofty spiritual concept; it’s a game-changer. When you realize that your time here is limited, everything takes on new meaning.
Imagine you’re on vacation, and you know you only have a few days in a beautiful, exotic location. You wouldn’t waste time on things that don’t matter, right? You’d want to soak in every moment, experience all that you can, and make memories that last a lifetime.
Now, apply that mindset to your everyday life. We’re all here on a temporary visa, so to speak, and the expiration date isn’t stamped on our passports. When we view life through this eternal lens, we start to prioritize what matters—love, relationships, acts of kindness, and living in a way that reflects God’s love.
Why Purpose Matters More Than Ever
If life is just a temporary assignment, then what’s the point? That’s where purpose comes in. The Catholic faith teaches us that our purpose isn’t just about achieving personal goals or worldly success. It’s about fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.
Think of it like being cast in a play. You wouldn’t show up on stage and start improvising without knowing the script, would you? In the same way, our lives have a script—a divine one. Our job is to understand our role in God’s grand story and play it to the best of our abilities.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of my favorite Catholic saints, once said, “I am a very little soul who can offer only very little things to the Lord.” Yet, she understood her purpose so deeply that her “little way” of doing ordinary things with extraordinary love became her path to sainthood. We don’t all have to be doing grand, world-changing acts to live out our purpose. Doing what we can with the resources we have at our disposal can be sufficient enough. If you have nothing, then pray.
The Role of Suffering and Sacrifice
A Catholic is not a Catholic without suffering and sacrifice. It’s not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but it’s basic. Suffering is part of our earthly journey, and while it’s not something we seek out, it can deepen our faith and bring us closer to God.
In Catholicism, we see suffering participation in Christ’s suffering. It’s not about being a martyr for the sake of martyrdom, but about offering up our struggles as a form of prayer, a way to unite ourselves with Jesus. This perspective doesn’t make suffering easier but gives it meaning.
Suffering, in my experience, is the weight training of spiritual fitness. It’s tough, it’s grueling, and sometimes you want to quit. But every rep, every strain, is making you stronger, preparing you for the challenges ahead. What I mean by suffering here is not just physical suffering but mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering as well. Even Jesus Himself said, “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
Living with an Eternal Perspective: Practical Steps
So, how do we live our lives knowing they are just temporary assignments? It’s one thing to understand this concept theoretically, but quite another to apply it daily. Here are some practical steps that have helped me, and maybe they’ll resonate with you too:
- Start Your Day with Purpose: Every morning, when I wake up, my first thought and the first words I utter out of my mouth is, “Good morning, Father.” I take a moment to remind myself of the bigger picture. A simple prayer or reflection can set the tone for the day, aligning my actions with God’s purpose.
- Prioritize Relationships: It’s easy to let relationships take a backseat when I’m focusing on something that I deem important at the moment, particularly when it comes to work. But if life is temporary, the people in it should be our top priority, and sometimes I just need to remember that. Whether it’s family, friends, or even strangers, I make an effort to connect meaningfully to them whenever I can.
- Simplify Your Life: I tend to accumulate things—possessions, worries, responsibilities—that weigh me down. The book, The 100 Thing Challenge by Dave Bruno chronicles how he challenged himself to narrow down his possessions dramatically to 100 things. It is a very good book if you are looking to downsize your personal possessions.
- Practice Gratitude: Practicing gratitude shifts our focus from our ego to the Almighty. Every day, I try to find something to be grateful for, no matter how small. A simple example of this is praying before meals. I had grown up praying at family meals and had fallen out of this practice at college and into my adult life. I had recently just gotten back into the habit of praying before meals.
- Embrace the Sacraments: The sacraments are like spiritual havens, offering us grace, strength, and protection for the journey. Regular participation in the Eucharist within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the sacrament of Reconciliation helps keep me grounded and connected to my faith, not to mention preserve me from future mortal sins.
- Serve Others: Corporal Works of Mercy are expected of us when we can provide them. Life isn’t just about what we can get out of it but what we can give to others. Whether through volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply being there for someone in need, offering our resources to others is a way to live out our faith.
The Ultimate Destination: Eternity with God
The thought of life being temporary might seem daunting at first. But when we remember that our ultimate destination is eternity with God, it becomes less scary and more hopeful. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us, “I am going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). That’s the promise we hold onto.
Our earthly journey is like a layover in an airport. It might be tiring, even frustrating at times, but it’s not the final stop. We’re on our way to something far greater, something beyond our wildest dreams.
Reflecting on My Journey
As I reflect on my journey so far, I’m reminded of the many times I’ve lost sight of this truth. I’ve gotten caught up in the stresses of daily life, worried about things that, in the grand scheme of eternity, don’t matter. But I’ve also had moments of clarity—times when I’ve felt the presence of God so strongly that everything else faded away.
These moments have taught me to live with intention, to keep my eyes on the ultimate prize. They’ve reminded me that while this life is temporary, the love, kindness, and faith we cultivate here have eternal value.
Conclusion: Embrace the Assignment
So, what does all this mean for you and me? It means embracing the assignment, however temporary it may be. It means living each day with purpose, loving deeply, serving others, and keeping our eyes on the ultimate destination. You are God’s own James Bond, should you choose to accept this assignment!
Life is a gift, a fleeting one, but a gift nonetheless. And while our time here may be short, it’s packed with opportunities to grow, love, and prepare ourselves for the eternal life that awaits us.
Let’s make the most of this temporary assignment, knowing that the best is yet to come. And who knows? Maybe we’ll look back on this journey with a smile, grateful for every twist, turn, and detour that brought us closer to our true home.
Now it’s your turn! Please leave a comment about how you came to the realization about life being a temporary assignment.
