Do we long for Heaven or do we long for Heaven in this fallen world?

Can we even begin to imagine what the real Heaven is like?

If you’ve always thought of Heaven as a realm of disembodied spirits, clouds, and eternal harp strumming, you’re in for a surprise, because, according to Randy Alcorn, the author of the book simply titled, HEAVEN ….

…opens your eyes to the wonder and beauty of eternity, introducing you to Heaven the way Scripture describes it as a bright, vibrant, and physical New Earth, a place free from sin, suffering, and death and brimming with all the wondrous sights and sounds that surround us every day.

Irene drove herself to dialysis and drove home, sipping on her favorite, customized Starbucks beverage which I had delivered to her as she was concluding the treatment.  She rested for the balance of the day.  She was extremely fatigued and the nausea was at a heightened level of significant discomfort.  Irene remains, however, very determined and optimistic about the future and had the gumption to prepare us a delicious dinner and apricot crisp dessert!

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Philippians 1:20-26

Paul speaks of living on PURPOSE …. ”if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me”.  Yet, he is TORN between the desire to depart earth and be with Christ in Heaven forever yet the reality was that God still had a reason for him to live on earth.  It’s a dynamic tension, because I don’t know of too many people that feel the way that Paul did …. that passionate desire to depart earth for Heaven …. right now.

Perhaps, if we really understood what was waiting for us “on the other side”, we too would long for Heaven, just as Paul did, and we would without question have more discourse on the matter.  It’s my experience and observation that many of us are trying to create heaven on earth by avoiding pain and producing as much comfort as possible.  Believe me, there is no finger pointing here …. I am as culpable as the next offender. But that’s also why, still remaining on earth, that we need to understand our purpose, which, simply stated, is FAITHFULNESS and OBEDIENCE to Him.

May our longing be for the One True God in Heaven and when we’re ultimately ushered into His Presence, may He proudly proclaim…

“Well done, good and faithful servant”
Matthew 25:23a

Caminando con Fé

Dave