This year, if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, we need to live with an eternal perspective. I believe it. I believe it is biblical. I believe it pleases the Lord and I believe it can change our lives if we commit to really living that way.
But I am wondering something. So often when we encourage each other to have that heavenly perspective, we picture...well...heaven, as best we can, in our minds. We think about no more tears, no more sin, streets of gold, and seeing Jesus. Here's my question: If heaven was never promised, would you still think it is worth having Jesus in your life?
Okay, I confess. It's not an original thought. It's an old Andre Crouch song. But the chorus is thought provoking and for some reason I woke up the other morning humming it:
But if heaven never was promised to me
Neither God's promise to live eternally
It's been worth just having the Lord in my life
Living in a world of darkness, He brought me the light
It's a pretty simple song, even a bit hokey. I can remember my parents sang it as a duet in church - Mom sang like a bird and Dad never wanted to sing special music. But for some reason Dad liked this song. Perhaps it was because I was young and hadn't lived long enough to assess life, so I didn't quite get it. But now that I'm getting up there in years...whatever...I think I've lived long enough to assess whether or not having the Lord in my life has been worth it.
So, you gals know my answer, but I want you to answer the question. Without the promise of streets of gold, can you honestly say that having the Lord in your life has enriched your time on earth?
Come on now, don't be shy...
Absolutely, positively, without a doubt, yes! With Him we experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, tenderheartedness, forbearance. Without Him, what ugliness...
ReplyDeleteYa know,even if we didnt get to go to heaven, we'd already know that we dont deserve it. i have to say yes, because even if we didnt walk the streets of gold, that doesn't mean that God doesn't love you, and i think that its an honor, to have been created by Him, because He has some big plans in our lives, and He works miracles through us.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kristen, Absolutely! He is the rock. The foundation of everything that is good and worthwhile. I am so blessed to be His, and to have the privelege of knowing that he chose me before the foundation of the world. And to know that it was for the purpose of good works and for his glory. Just to know he calls me friend, and that he loves me and forgives me, and is always waiting for me to run into his arms. I cannot even begin to imagine life without him, living as I lived before I knew him and trusted him. Such a lonely, sad place to be. I would add a line....living in the world of darkness, He is the only light, and I hope he'll shine through me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you. I have recently heard people graciously complain that God's way is hard, but the end reward is heaven. I think there is a lot of earthly rewards, as well. Some times what God calls us to is hard, but compared to life without Him, it's a piece of cake. So many lost, lonely and miserable people. I mean, look at Tiger...need I say more?
ReplyDeleteAnyone else?
ANY life with Him is way better then a life without Him. If Heaven was nothing more then "camp" but had the peace, love and forgiveness that comes from knowing Him, it would be well worth it!
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading a book called- 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth' by Michael E. Wittmer. He is a professor at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. This book is causing me to stop and examine my worldview. The basis is that God created us to be human. He created us to live on this earth. Yes, we need to keep our eyes on things above, but that is not all we were created for. We were created to honor and glorify God here, on earth, in our everyday normal lives.
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