Episode 4: Living with Eternal Perspective

Eric Marquette

Alright guys, this is 'Deeper Still' a podcast devotional from The Devotion Network, and of course we are in episode 4 of the series 'Restore My Soul'. Thanks for taking the journey with us.

Eric Marquette

So, guys, life today is, well, noisy, right? Like, everywhere you turn, there's some demand or distraction, right? Social media, work deadlines, notifications—it’s constant. And and honestly, I think it’s easy to get caught up in all of it without even realizing it.

Eric Marquette

That’s why the words in Colossians 3:2 feel, I mean, so timely. “Set your minds on things above...” Notice that word—set. This isn’t just some passive thing we stumble into. It’s deliberate. It’s a conscious, disciplined choice to focus on what really matters, on what’s eternal.

Eric Marquette

But you know, let’s be real. That’s so much easier said than done. I mean, we live in a culture that practically rewards us for obsessing over temporary things. Think about how much time we spend scrolling through social media feeds, checking our likes, chasing trends. I’m not saying those things are bad, but but they can really dominate our thoughts if we’re not careful.

Eric Marquette

I’ll share something personal to, you know, illustrate this. So there was this one time I was swamped with podcast deadlines, just juggling, like, a million moving pieces. I remember sitting at my computer, completely overwhelmed, thinking, how am I gonna get through this? And then I just, I stopped. I prayed. In that moment, I asked God to, you know, refocus my heart on what truly mattered.

Eric Marquette

And you know what happened? It didn’t magically clear my calendar or anything, but it did shift my perspective. Suddenly, those deadlines that felt so heavy didn’t consume me. I realized that as long as my priorities were in line with God’s, everything else would fall into place. It gave me this real sense of peace, a peace that I couldn’t manufacture on my own.

Eric Marquette

So when Paul talks about “setting your minds on things above,” he’s inviting us to do this, to step back, to recalibrate, and to place our trust in something, well, bigger than ourselves. And these earthly distractions? They don’t have to have the final say.

Eric Marquette

You know, when Paul talks about “things above,” he’s referring to God’s eternal truths and values—things like love, mercy, purpose. These aren’t just ideas to admire from afar. They’re like, well, a compass, right? A way to navigate everything else in life. And and what’s kind of amazing is how they stand in such sharp contrast to all the things the world tells us are important—success, possessions, status.

Eric Marquette

I mean, think about it. How much of what we chase after today is truly lasting? That promotion, the bigger house, a new car—are these things bad in themselves? No, not at all. But when they become the focus, when they start consuming our time and energy, they can, they can start to edge out what really matters.

Eric Marquette

So let’s try this: ask yourself, is your time, is your energy aligned with God’s eternal values? What are the things you’re prioritizing each day? It’s tough, I get it. I mean, we’ve all been there where life feels like it’s just, go, go, go. But taking even a moment—a pause—to reflect? It can change everything.

Eric Marquette

Here’s an exercise you might wanna try, just to keep things practical. Grab a journal, and at the end of your day, ask yourself one question: Did my decisions today reflect God’s eternal priorities, or was I more focused on, well, fleeting ones? Write down what comes to mind. Don’t overthink it—just let it flow. Over time, you might notice patterns that you hadn’t seen before.

Eric Marquette

And you know, I can’t help but think of someone like Mother Teresa here. I mean, a woman who literally gave her life serving others, embodying eternal values over worldly success. She didn’t measure her impact by wealth or recognition, but by the lives she touched. And you can see the legacy she left behind—a life aligned with “things above,” a life that mattered in the deepest sense.

Eric Marquette

So how do we, in a real, practical sense, live each day with an eternal perspective? It’s a big question, isn’t it? But it starts small—with daily habits that re-center our focus and keep us anchored. One thing I’ve found helpful is beginning the day with scripture, something like Colossians 3:2, you know, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Let that verse shape your morning. Let it be the lens through which you view your day.

Eric Marquette

Another tool? Gratitude. I mean, really pausing to say, “What eternal gifts am I thankful for today?” Could be salvation, peace, even the relationships in your life that truly reflect God’s love. And you don’t have to make it a big production—just jot down one thing each day. Over time, it’s amazing how this simple practice can kind of shift your mindset upward.

Eric Marquette

Now, I wanna touch on something that I think we all wrestle with—our responsibilities. Whether it’s work, family, or just the stuff that fills our calendars, it can feel like there’s no room for anything else. But here's the thing: what if we reframed those tasks? What if we saw even the mundane and, well, exhausting parts of life as opportunities to serve God’s purposes?

Eric Marquette

Think about it—caring for your family, doing your job with integrity, even, I don’t know, being kind to a stranger in a grocery line. All of it can reflect God’s eternal values. And when we approach life this way, it doesn’t mean our to-do lists disappear, but it gives them a new kind of meaning. It gives them purpose.

Eric Marquette

Now, here’s a little challenge for you. For one week, consciously track how much time you spend focused on “things above.” It doesn’t have to be perfect or rigid—just take note. At the end of the week, reflect on what you notice. Do you feel more peace, more clarity? Have your priorities shifted at all? It’s a simple practice, but it can, well, be surprisingly revealing.

Eric Marquette

And you know, as we wrap up, I just wanna leave you with this: Living with an eternal perspective doesn’t mean you ignore the here and now. It means you approach it through God’s lens. When you set your mind on things above, you can find a clarity and direction that earthly pursuits just can’t provide. It’s not about doing less—it's about seeing more. More of God’s purpose, more of His peace, more of what truly matters.

Eric Marquette

And that’s all for today. As you head into this week, remember: every moment—no matter how mundane—can reflect something eternal. Thanks for being here with me. It’s been, honestly, such a joy to walk through this together. Until next time, take care and stay grounded in God’s purpose.