Job asks a question we all ponder, “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble… If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come." (Job 14:1, 14, NIV) My life is a rich and wonderful one and yet I must still deal with pulling weeds that grow in the garden, resisting temptation that lures me from the pursuit of God, and a nagging sense of the futility of my existence. According to the Bible, our lives now, will find resolution and ultimate meaning in eternity. That does not suggest that we are to avoid the present reality with some escapist vision of Heaven. Instead, we need to connect with Heaven by faith now so that we live in God’s purpose, for His pleasure now.
I read a book during the evening that makes a winsome argument for Heaven, Heaven Is For Real. (Thomas Nelson Publisher, 2010) Todd Burpo, a pastor from Nebraska, tells the story of his little son, Colton, who had major surgery and nearly died. During the ordeal the little boy, just shy of 4 years of age, visited heaven. He met a sister his mother had miscarried before he was born, of whom he had never heard. He saw the timelessness of God’s plan unfold, the Throne of God, and discovered that “Jesus really loves children.” It’s a simple story, one that defies our rationalism. It has become a bestseller. Does Colton Burpo’s story prove the existence of heaven? Of course not. Skeptics will find ways to explain the little guy’s words away. The faithful will find encouragement in them. For me, his stories about heaven just added a little ‘Aha’ to what I already believe based on the Bible’s testimony.
Disciple, keep Heaven in your heart! A strong hope of meeting Jesus face to face, the certainty that justice will prevail, the promise of a ‘room in the Father’s house,’ keeps us pointed in the right direction through sunshine and rain, blessings and misfortune. The anemic Christianity of 21st century results, at least in part, from our failure to remember that Heaven is our true home. I’m not the first to say that. In the faith chapter, Hebrews 11, there is this summary statement about those who held onto hope. "Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted." (Hebrews 11:13-15, The Message)
Even more specific is the encouragement drawn from the life of Abraham, called the father of the faithful. "By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10, NIV)
We are often tempted to try to make a little heaven on earth, to carve out a place where sorrow cannot enter, where death and disappointment cannot touch us. For a time, we may appear to succeed! Our wealth gives us the ability to sustain the illusion of being a god for quite some time, but then comes the storm we cannot control that wreaks havoc. If we have hope only in this life, despair follows. If our hope is in Heaven, we are able to press on, and not simply with grim determination, but with true hope, real joy. Is Heaven in your heart? Have you set your hope in Christ and His cross, thus becoming part eternity, even while you make the journey through this world?
Here’s a word from the Word. Believe Him, receive it! “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3, NIV)
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It will be worth it all,
When we see Jesus.
Life's trials will seem so small,
When we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face,
All sorrow will erase.
So bravely run the race,
‘Till we see Christ.
When We See Christ
Rusthoi, Esther Kerr © 1940 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
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