The Next 5000 Years!

 by Anusha Atukorala

I love visiting my local library. I return home bringing bulging bagfuls of brilliant beautiful bountiful books! On a recent visit to the library, I found a novel based on a writer’s retreat. Four strangers turned up at a resort, set in a beautiful location. Each attendee had their own room with all their meals provided. The writing instructor who was staying in a cottage next door, turned up each morning to give them several hours of her time and to set writing tasks for them. 

One young woman who turned up at the retreat put me off completely. She was egocentric. She was loud. She was self-obsessed. But then … as I read the back story of her life, I discovered that she’d grown up in a dysfunctional home, and had not received much nurturing. No wonder this seemingly obnoxious young woman behaved as she did! My thoughts about her flipped a 180 degrees! I felt sad realising how hard her life had been! I even started to like her and wanted her to do well. I loved how the author showed us that there are reasons why people act in difficult or surprising ways.

 

And that’s what we writers are called to do, isn’t it? We tell the world what really goes on. What motivations drive people. How complex our world is. That we can’t judge others on their exterior alone without getting to know their life story. Reading fiction is known to help people learn social skills and empathy and I can understand why. Getting into our characters heads and hearts is always good for us, isn’t it – not only as writers but also as readers?

 

We Christian writers do many different things. We might expose our readers’ minds to life, truth and the meaning of the universe! We may educate, challenge and inspire. We sometimes teach and instruct. We brighten our readers’ dark times with hope. We entertain. Make readers smile. Drop lightness into their being. We remind them that things are not always what they seem. 

We show them the ugly parts of our world and tell it like it is. We display the need for justice in a fallen world. We even have the joy of giving a glimpse of spiritual truth. A Christ-centered worldview. We open our readers’ minds to the reality of the kingdom of God and to the Light of the world. Jesus.

 

What kind of impact would you like your books would make? Back in 2007, God called me to write for Him. He asked me to comfort those going through tough seasons so they could learn to dance in the rain. It thrilled my heart to do just that and to point them to Jesus. 

But recently … while listening to a podcast, a comment that the speaker (Dallas Willard) made, was a torch, shining a new beam of understanding into my calling. Dallas asked us what we wanted to do 500 years from now in heaven as we reign with Jesus. 5000 years from now. 10,000 years from now! Now, there’s a challenge! And here I was, unable to think beyond the next 6 months! Wow!

I realised with a start that because life in heaven is perfect, there would be no need for me to comfort and strengthen others through my writing in that celestial city. LIFE after life will be all beauty and light and joy. 

No more stormy weather! (Isn’t that wonderful?)

And so from 2023, I’ve thought beyond my earthly existence to what I’d love to keep doing in eternity. I might as well practice now, don’t you think? So my writing has expanded. Not only to encourage people going through tough times but also to write about living life well as we frolic in the sunshine ... the sunshine of the kingdom of God.

 

It was deeply encouraging that the first two blogs I wrote for the year in this new vein, had plenty of reader engagement. It was God’s endorsement to me that I am on the right track. Thank You God! And … what about you, dear friend? What burning issues has God placed on your heart to share with His world? Not just for the present but for heaven and the new heavens and the new earth? What would you like to do in eternity? In the next 500 years? The next 5000?

 

As believers, we prepare for eternity by living our lives the way Jesus called us to – seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. Becoming more like Jesus. But then … as Christian writers too, we need to prepare for eternity so we can make the cosmos to ring with glory to our amazing Saviour! And learn from Him how best we can reign with God in His kingdom forever and ever!

 

What do YOU think?

 

“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the

 scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with

 your blood you purchased for God, persons from every tribe

 and language and people and nation.

 

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our

God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev 5:9-10

 

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.

 

Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.

Dancing in the Rain - https://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/

Light in the Darkness- https://light-in-the-darkness00.webnode.com/