The Reality of Heaven

            Eight months ago, while still in the Philippines, I had several days of bodily discomfort that made me think my cancer was about to take its toll.  I doubted that I would see another Christmas.  Now, the first of February, although my cancer continues to grow, I’m still around and feeling fine most days.  In addition to spending time with my family, the time has allowed me to enjoy some reading and reflections on heaven.  One of my favorite sources has been the short podcasts of John Piper at www.desiringgod.com   You can click on the following links…

 What Will be Familiar to Us in Heaven?

 How Will We Travel in Heaven?

 Sex in Heaven?

 What Age Will I Appear in Heaven?

 Will Some Be Happier in Heaven Than Others?

 Can We Do Whatever We Want in Heaven?

 Can Loved Ones in Heaven Look Down On Me?

 Will Some People in Heaven Have More Joy than Others?

 Why Will Some of Us Get Fewer Rewards in Heaven?

 Where is Heaven Right Now?

            We live in a world entrapped in evil, selfishness, and sinfulness that gives rise to corruption, suffering, theft, dishonesty, adultery, and the list goes on.  Think about the number of times we have struggled with…

ENVY – you have a rich relative who lives in a mansion, your neighbor drives up with a new car, your good friend has a new cell phone or computer.

LUST – you see a lewd billboard or a sensual advertisement, you are tempted to look at pornography, you go to sleep fantasizing about a woman or man.

GREED – all you think about is how to make more money, you dream about what money can buy, you don’t tithe because you want the money for yourself.

JEALOUSY – you compare what you have with others, you despise your Facebook friends who appear successful, you feel hurt when others don’t give you attention.

ANGER – your team loses the big game, someone cuts in front of you along the highway, your co-worker doesn’t respect you or he mistreats you.

 I suspect we have gotten so used to living with these struggles that we find it hard to imagine a life without them.  But pause for a moment and try to imagine a world where all of these negative emotions and attitudes will be gone, forever.  We will no longer have it in us to respond in a sinful way.  Instead, in heaven we will have…

            CONTENTMENT – no desire to gain more than the wealth we already have, we will find pleasure in everything, each moment will have all the happiness we could want.

            GENTLENESS – we will touch everything with tenderness, speak to everyone with softness, and approach every moment with calmness.

            KINDNESS – we will speak words that encourage, find fulfillment in helping others, and seek ways to be a blessing to everyone around us.

            EMPATHY – we will understand the feelings of others, see their situation through thoughtful eyes, rejoice when they rejoice

            JOY – everything we see will bring a smile to our face, every moment will be touched with happiness, from within us will well up fountains of delight.

             When your task on earth is done and God signals to you that your time of promotion is near, I hope you will focus not on the temporal things you will lose, but on the eternal things you will gain, with eager anticipation of the joy that’s about to be revealed to you.  Until that day comes, serve the Lord with gladness and “number your days that you may present to the Lord a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).