Do You Have a 10,000 Year Perspective?

This content was originally shared by our friend Charlie Paparelli, chairman of High Tech Ministries, angel investor and blogger. Big thanks to him and the author for allowing us to share this article on our Blog!

— by Matt McConnell

“What are you doing that will matter in 10,000 years?”

It was the kind of question that stops you in your tracks–a truth bomb. Then she just walked out of the room.

There are those rare people in your life who have a way of cutting through the clutter. My wife is one of them. I had been struggling with something that many people struggle with: too much to do. I had so much to do that I was doing it all poorly, and I was exhausted.

I needed to reframe. I needed a north star. She could tell that I had lost my way.

What matters?

On the surface, it seems like a silly question. But when you think about it–really think about it–it puts everything in perspective. What am I doing that will matter in 10,000 years?

God had begun working on me after I became a Christian in my early 30s. I realized that, in spite of all of my selfishness, He had gifted me with incredible blessings. I reasoned that God had blessed me so abundantly for a reason.

As a young man running a company, I reasoned that God had blessed me so I would do something great for Him in business. I thought God was calling me to build a great business that glorified Him.

10,000 years

A few days later, I found myself sitting at the dinner table with my family. As a follower of Christ, I knew that I would be in heaven in 10,000 years. I imagined myself sitting at a dinner table like that one. In that moment, I realized how much it would grieve me–every single day for eternity–if someone I cared about was not there.

The answer became crystal clear. The only thing I can do that will matter in 10,000 years is sharing Christ with the people I care about. Nothing else I do will really matter then.

This has become my north star. It is the filter through which I prioritize my life. What am I going to do today that will matter in 10,000 years?

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[Special thanks to Sam Schooler on Unsplash for the cover photo]