One Day Closer

In many ways, my current situation is a metaphor for the relationship between life on earth and eternity in heaven.  Compared to the riches that are heaven, this earth is a pit.  I don’t think we will fully understand how much this is true until we leave this world.  We work very hard to make ourselves comfortable here.  Air conditioning, electronics, cars and fast food are all meant to make our stay easy.  And yet, with all our modern technology, that’s still not the case.  Psalm 115:16 says, “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.”  And we have mucked it up.  Although I believe God allows us to see glimpses of his kingdom here,  it is largely filled with greed, lust, murder and malicious intent.  The prophet Isaiah even warned us in chapter 2 verse 22 to, “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostils.  Why hold them in esteem?”  Everyone and every thing in this world will eventually disappoint you and let you down.  The proof is in the evening news.  Simply turn on the TV or log on your computer and see the darkness of humanity.  The headlines scream of hatred, racism, murder and every conceivable kind of immorality.  I say this, not to bring down the room, but to make sure you know that what you see is not necessarily what you get.  For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, “having been justified by his grace, we become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”  (Titus 3:7)  There is a heaven that Jesus referred to as Paradise.  Look up what the Bible says about heaven for yourself.  Here is a teaser – there will be no mourning, or sickness or death.  We will leave all those things behind.  Can you even imagine?  So my advice to you (and I’m preaching to myself too), would be to enjoy the moments here when you get to be with family and friends.  Find contentment in following after Christ and fulfilling your calling.  But in those moments when the brokenness around us seems to be too much, just remember that “We are one day closer.”

“Praise be to the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s poweir unti lthe coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuiness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, an honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:3-7