Backing Into Eternity: Are You Living for Your Future Self in Heaven?

Are You Living for Your Future Self in Heaven?

Yesterday, I read an article about people who back into parking spots versus those of us who just pull in and deal with it later.

It made me laugh because my daughter has been backing into parking spaces for years. She says she would rather deal with the inconvenience on the front end so she can pull straight out when it’s time to leave.

Me? I pull in every single time.

Why? Because I usually come out with a buggy full of items, and I need to raise the hatch. If I’ve backed in, I’m stuck trying to squeeze between cars like a contortionist. No, thank you.

But the whole thing got me thinking.

Some people are willing to make things slightly harder now so their future self has an easier time later.

And that raises a bigger question.

How many of us are willing to inconvenience ourselves now for our eternal future?

Planning for Retirement, But Not for Eternity

When we were working, most of us put money into a 401(k) or a savings account. We sacrificed vacations, new cars, and little luxuries so our future self could retire with peace.

We thought ahead.

We might have saved for our children, too. College funds. Wedding expenses. A little nest egg to help them get started. We denied ourselves in small ways so their future would be secure.

That kind of thinking makes sense to us.

But when it comes to our everlasting home, we sometimes live as if we’re just pulling straight into the spot and hoping for the best later.

Jesus said:

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
— Matthew 6:19–20 (NIV)

That sounds a lot like backing into the parking spot, doesn’t it?

A little inconvenience now. A smoother exit later.

The Small Inconveniences That Build Eternal Rewards

Living for your future self in heaven does not always feel glamorous.

It often looks like this:

Choosing Kindness When It Is Not Returned

Being kind to someone who is sharp, impatient, or downright difficult is not easy.

It is much simpler to match their tone.

But Scripture says:

³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
— Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Kindness costs us pride. It costs us ego. It costs us the last word.

But it stores something eternal.

Forgiving When It Feels Impossible

Forgiveness is one of the biggest inconveniences of all.

Holding onto hurt feels justified. Releasing it feels unfair.

Yet Jesus said:

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
— Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

Forgiveness is rarely easy. It is rarely quick. But it frees our future self from carrying bitterness into eternity.

Standing Firm When Culture Pushes Back

There are moments when holding onto your beliefs makes you feel out of step.

The accepted norm shifts. Opinions change. Pressure builds.

And yet:

¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
— Revelation 2:10 (NIV)

Faithfulness is not always comfortable. It is not always applauded.

But it prepares your eternal home.

What Does It Mean to Live for Your Future Self in Heaven?

It means remembering that this life is not the final destination.

The apostle Paul wrote:

¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
— 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

Light and momentary.

Sometimes that does not feel accurate, does it?

But compared to eternity, even our hardest days are temporary.

Every time you choose generosity.
Every time you swallow pride.
Every time you obey God quietly when no one is watching.

You are backing into eternity.

You are preparing your future self.

A Question Worth Asking

If someone looked at your daily choices, would they see you living only for today? Or would they see someone investing in forever?

I am not asking this from a place of judgment. I am asking it because I had to ask myself.

It is easy to plan financially for retirement.
It is easy to save for children.
It is easy to prepare for vacations.

It is harder to choose humility.
It is harder to forgive.
It is harder to live counter-culturally.

But those are the deposits that matter most.

To GOD Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

Let’s End With a Prayer

Father,

Help me to think beyond today. Help me to see my life through the lens of eternity. When kindness feels inconvenient, remind me that I am storing treasure in heaven. When forgiveness feels too hard, soften my heart. When culture shifts, and I feel uncertain, give me the courage to stand firm in Your truth.

Teach me to live for my future self in heaven, not just for comfort in the moment. Shape my daily choices so they reflect who I belong to and where I am going.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

If you missed last week’s post about Lent,
you can find it here.