There’s a word in the German language, sehnsucht, that C.S. Lewis popularized in his book Surprised by Joy. Sehnsucht refers to the yearning and longing our human hearts feel for more, for an unnamed place or the fulfillment of desires that cannot be quenched in this world alone. This Romantic concept was key to Lewis’s eventual belief in Christianity. He often encountered everyday things that evoked this pang of longing, like the smell of a bonfire or the sound of ocean waves, and filled him with an insatiable desire for more that he couldn’t quite explain. It was really the truth behind Ecclesiastes 3:11 that seized him: God has put eternity in our hearts.
Think about that for a moment. Even taking into account what we do know, eternity is a bit of a mystery, isn’t it? From the Old Testament to Revelation, Scripture gives us clues, like tracks in the woods, but not enough to form a complete understanding.
In Scripture, the word eternity refers to the mind-bending truth that God has no beginning and no end, but it can also be used as shorthand for our future life with God—in heaven or in the coming kingdom. We will have the life of God, eternal by its very nature.
But in the same breath, the author also says that “no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end” (v.11). This statement has always been a little confusing for me. If God put eternity in our hearts, why does He place limitations on our discovery? I want my longing to generate endless insight about what God is up to. Instead, I’m told “no one can discover” what God has done, at least not the full scope of it. There is knowledge He has reserved for His own purposes, which “no eye has seen” and “no human heart has conceived” (1Corinthians 2:9). And so our response to Him must be one of faith.
Although there isn’t anything particularly special about bonfire smoke or sea salt, there are things in this life that catch our attention and draw us toward heaven. For you, it may be the feel of your baby’s hair. For another, maybe the taste of raspberry jam. Whatever it is, Scripture tells us that God has built eternity into the fabric of our hearts and that all creation declares His glory.
But it is still a mystery. God gives us some knowledge, but not enough to discover His full and perfect plan. So, as Christians, we acknowledge that, even if we don’t fully understand what eternity will be like or how time works in the kingdom of God, by faith we believe that God places this longing in us so that we seek and find Him. We pay attention to this “inner knowing” and choose to trust what God has revealed. What we see is not all there is. One day, the veil will be pulled back. Eternity is coming.
Until then, we have crackling bonfires and ocean waves to remind us.
For those who experience fear and/or anxiety when thinking about eternity, someone on this site (Thank you whoever you are!) recommended a book called “The Rest of the Gospel” by Dan Stone and David Gregory. I’m only 75 pages in so far, but already it has helped me with the concept of living in this time-bound life, but looking forward to experiencing eternity with God. He explains that when we become Christians, we die with Christ and are raised to life with Him. Therefore, we are beginning to exercise our eternal existence in this time-bound, finite life through the Holy Spirit. He uses an analogy of a line separating the earthly (external) from the eternal (internal), kinda like our study book with what is “under the sun” and what is “in the kingdom.” I’m not doing a good job of explaining it but the book is really helpful! :)
I didn’t realize there was a podcast too!! Thanks for sharing!
This is how I felt reading this too. A sweet reminder that their is a time and season for everything. He is with us through it all.
Churchmouse, I love the metronome analogy. Yes, life has a rhythm– the rhythm’s of nature and our physical being. I think modern life has done far too much to disrupt those rhythms to the detriment of our physical and spiritual health. What a perfect reminder this passage is to listen to the rhythm and abide.
For some reason I had never noticed that phrase, “He has put eternity in their hearts.” I feel the wonder and pull of that so often. Our home is in heaven. Yes, we are to enjoy here and now, which I love that this passage confirms that, but the enjoyment is to be in context of honoring God, glorifying Him, being salt and light, and knowing one day we’ll be welcomed home for eternity.
When I experienced the deepest suffering I ever encountered in my life, my heart was so close to God. I longed for Him all the time. I felt that without Him, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move another step, couldn’t go on to face another day. By drawing my heart so very close to Him, I had hope. I believe that is the longing that God puts in our hearts from the beginning of time. To draw near to him. To feel His presence. That is eternity, and I think when we walk through fires here on Earth, that longing is so much greater. Although I never want to go back to that level of suffering again, I do long for the closeness that I felt from my Father…I believe that is what eternity will be like.
Beautifully said ❤️
Laura I Also experienced this amazing closeness to God during a terribly hard time. I have thought the same, that I miss that closeness, but do not want to go back to that pain.
JD: Thank you for sharing that information. It was very helpful.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
I think this explains the human condition well. We can feel both the crushing weight of the shortness of time and the freeing expanse of the immensity of time, and whenever there is friction between two thoughts there will be suffering. I believe the trick is to find a way to embrace both. By allowing time to unfold as is God’s will, yet be present and capitalize on each moment, I think I can end the suffering I have with time.
I love this!❤️