When I was a teenager, beginning to make decisions, I remember my mom saying to me, “How important will this be when you stand before the Lord, one moment in eternity?” I remember occasionally feeling annoyed by this reminder, especially when I knew down deep that what the choice I was making based a lot more on what I wanted, than on what God wanted for me. However, that thought has helped me so many times; and sadly, forgetting or ignoring that perspective has caused me and others grief more times than I like to admit.
Solomon said, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” (Eccl. 11:9) We are reminded in Romans, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12) And Jesus Himself told us in Matthew 12:36, ” But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
It is so easy to make daily decisions based on our desires, emotions, and plans, and never stop to think of what the Bible says, or what God thinks. And lest we think that God is not concerned, we need to be reminded that we will give account, not only for our deeds, but for our thoughts and words. And while those of us who are saved know that our sins are forgiven, we cannot forget that, “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Cor. 5:10)
How often is our first thought in making a decision, “What will so-and-so think?” instead of “What will God think?” Or perhaps we think, “What will this decision cost me?”, instead of thinking, “What did my sin cost Him?” Even worse, our greatest consideration is often, “Will this make me happy?” rather than, “Will this please my heavenly Father?”
Let me be clear, the message of this post, and of this song, is for those who have already trusted Christ as Savior. If you have not asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, and accepted the payment of Christ as your only means of salvation, I beg you to make that decision today. In eternity, nothing else will matter if you have not received Christ.
However, for those of us who are forgiven, it is important to be reminded that our choices, our daily walk, must be viewed in light of eternity. For good or evil, our lives affect the cause of Christ, as well as the lives and eternal destinies of those around us. We are to be ambassadors for Christ. His will and purpose for us should be a priority in everything we do.
One of Satan’s greatest tools is distraction, and he is skilled at getting us to focus only on the immediate, at the expense of the eternal.
This is not necessarily a “happy”, feel-good song, but I pray that the thought it conveys will encourage us to “…have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”. (Heb. 12:28)
You can watch the YouTube video here: One Moment In Eternity
One Moment In Eternity
I stand here at decision’s door, and wonder what to choose,
I think of what I wish to gain, And what I stand to lose.
My flesh longs to be satisfied, It yearns for ease and fame,
The Spirit whispers, “Die to self, And glorify His name.”
One moment in eternity, what difference will it make?
Decisions that I make today, The path I choose to take?
Will I be filled with joy or shame when at His feet I bow?
One moment in eternity, I’ll wish I had loved Him now.
There are so many dreams and plans that I want to fulfill,
Is it too great a sacrifice to yield them to His will?
Eternity seems far away while I enjoy my sin,
But pleasure’s season soon will pass, and where will I be then?
One moment in eternity, what difference will it make?
Decisions that I make today, The path I choose to take?
Will I be filled with joy or shame when at His feet I bow?
One moment in eternity, I’ll wish I had loved Him now.
If I reject the world’s demands, They’ll say that I’m a fool,
If I submit my stubborn will, and let the Lord have rule.
If I decide that by His grace His Word I will obey,
If I will let the fear of God direct me in His way.
One moment in eternity, what difference will it make?
Decisions that I make today, The path I choose to take?
If I can hear Him say, “Well done,” when at His feet I bow,
One moment in eternity, I’ll be glad that I loved Him now.
©Niki Lott
5/20/14
The words to this song are awesome! What a blessing!
Thank you. Praise the Lord!
Love your song! I wish i had had a song like this as I was growing up and making decisions on my own. Praying for God’s will. I still do. Because i would much rather please God than man. Love you for all you are!
Thank you, Jeannine! Love you too!
I love this. I plan to read the words to my Sunday School Class…
Since our study is on Choices.
Hope you don’t mind. Love ya
I don’t mind at all! Thank you. Love you too!
Much needed words in today’s fast-paced world…thank you, honey, for using your talent for the Lord.
Mom
Thank you, Mom. Love you!
So needed this encouragement as I am asking God for guidance in big decisions. You are a blessing!
Thank you, Sonya! Praise the Lord!
Your music has been such a blessing in my life, thank you for your service to Christ! I’m hoping to sing this song at camp next week and I hope it may speak to others hearts as it has mine …..it fits so much to my life!
Thank you, Charlotte! That is wonderful. God bless you!
Niki, this song is such a needed song in our churches and with our youth. Do you have sheet music for it or better yet a sound tract for it. I would love to use it in our church.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I do have sheet music available for this song, as a solo or trio arrangement. These can be ordered as printed sheet music, or downloaded as a digital PDF to print yourself. I also have a sound track for it, but don’t have it on the website yet. I will try to get that done soon.
It is available for listening on my CD, “Consider Him“.
One of my friend’s sent me this song back in 2018! It was used by God to help me make a decision.
Thank you for being willing to be used of God!
Keep on keeping on! 😀
Praise the Lord! That is a great encouragement to me!