When evangelist Pat Kelly played major league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, his manager was the fiery, successful Earl Weaver. Weaver, like many top sports skippers, kept his mind on one thing—winning baseball games. One day Kelly stopped to talk with his manager. “Weave,” Pat said, “it sure is good to walk with Jesus.” “That’s nice,” the manager replied, “but I’d rather you would walk with the bases loaded.”

That exchange is a good example of the difference between two views of life—the temporary and the permanent. When we have the first, we can become preoccupied with the things of this earth. We can forget that this life is only a time to prepare for eternity. With the permanent view, however, we recognize the importance of getting ready for eternity by trusting in and living for Jesus Christ.

There are advantages to viewing life in terms of eternity. The apostle Peter talked about a living hope (1 Peter 1:3), an incorruptible inheritance (v. 4), the assurance of spending eternity with God (vv. 5, 9), and an inexpressible joy (v. 8). That’s what we get when we walk with Jesus.

How would you label your outlook? Is it temporary or permanent?