We often think of eternal life as something that begins when we die. Indeed, whatever glory looks like on the other side of this world, will be everything God wants it to be for us. It will be more than we could ever imagine.
But that's only a part of eternal life. Eternal life includes today. It includes what you experienced yesterday and what you'll grow into tomorrow. It is a present reality just as much as it is a future hope.
As I began to grow in faith, I heard a lot of sermons that focused on the future. That is, preachers did well to get me to think about how wonderful heaven must be. Of course, if I want to be in heaven, I better choose Jesus.
But notice something Jesus said in John 6. Religious leaders scoffed at him for saying he was "the bread that came down from heaven." They knew him as Joseph's boy. How could he claim to be anything or anyone from heaven? Jesus responded by assuring us of God's grace drawing us to this promise of eternal life. Then he says, "whoever believes has eternal life." Not will have, but has!
Then he goes back to bread. I am the bread of life.
Do you remember something Jesus taught us to pray for? Daily bread. Not someday bread. Not even heavenly bread. But bread we need for today. 
When I reflect on all that together, that affirms my faith. It tells me eternal life is just as much about today as it is about when I die. To live forever means to live today.
To live like Christ is Lord. To trust like God is good. To believe the bread of heaven satisfies every hunger of your soul.
Eternal life isn't just about where you go when you die. It's about how you walk, trust and love while you're still here today.
Stay blessed...john | 
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