Lost in ponderings of Heaven this afternoon, I had this thought…
The “Heaven” held out to us in Scripture is not a place or state where everything is finally the way I want it, but a place or state where everything is finally the way God wants it. It is the fulfillment of all that God ever intended for all of creation.
This, I think, makes all the difference in the world in terms of how we live our lives. What if our desires and our affections never become more aligned to God’s? What if things like selflessness, sacrifice, generosity, patience, and love never take root in our lives, and then we come to Heaven only to find these to be the most fundamental expressions of life. How great would our suffering be in a place where, for all of eternity, life was made truly enjoyable only by virtue of these ways of being - when we have no capacity for them?
It seems to me that our experience and enjoyment of this sort of Heaven, if this life is to be at all meaningful, corresponds directly to the degree to which God’s heart takes root in our own. A humbling thought to say the least.
2 responses so far ↓
1 wildflower // Sep 16, 2008 at 9:39 pm
This is a humbling thought! At the same time, to think that God will have things the way He wants them is comforting to me as well. For example, when I am choosing selflessness, generosity, sacrifice, patience, and love there is always an inner peace and joy that follows from living in a way that pleases him and also recognizing that it is in those times I feel closest to Him and His heart for others. So, while this thought is great in helping change my perspective of heaven- (which I believe is a spiritually healthy perspective and commend you for this) I believe at the same time, no matter what He asks of us this life or next- it would only be good and good for us if it is good for Him. Love the picture - is that even real?
2 JoeyG // Sep 17, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Great thought JR. I hope my desires change to His.
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