During dinner with my beautiful African American friend the other day (outside and following social distancing guidelines), she lamented that the world is just getting worse and why can’t we get a glimpse of the abundant life that God has promised us?
Something popped out of my mouth that I had never thought of before. It surprised even me.
What if that abundant life He promises is not meant to be here on earth, but is awaiting us in heaven?
Let’s consider this. We are here on earth (God willing) for 80-100 years. We are in heaven for eternity. I’m thinking that when we’ve been in heaven for a couple of thousand years, life here on earth will seem like a VERY brief interlude. Somewhere we were placed for an extremely short amount of time in order to fulfill whatever it is God asked us to do there.
In no way will our time here on earth be the majority of our lives.
I am missing my brother in heaven today as the Fourth was a day that we gathered as a family at the beach-watching the parade, helping the kids collect the tossed candy, eating together back at mom and dads. I should have been prepared for today being difficult-but missed that somehow.
I will look for comfort in the fact that I know he is experiencing true abundant life with our Father. And maybe-just maybe-he has a window from heaven today to wave “hello” to the rest of us.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -John 10:10, NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -John 10:10, ESV
Praying for you and your family! I know you miss your brother and I am praying God’s continual grace and comfort in your life! I forgot the exact verse but it makes me think of when Paul talks about how these trials and circumstances are not worth comparing to the glory of Heaven! It’s like you said we only have so many years and then it’s gone and we will either spend eternity with Jesus or eternity separated from Him. Jesus never promised our life would be good or free from tribulations or trials but He did promise everything would be for our good and so we would be confirmed to the image of Christ! We can’t say or really even know what that process Is going to look like but He does! I don’t believe that doesn’t mean God doesn’t want us to have a good life or have good things happen to us but I know that whatever God has for us, good or bad, will be for His good and His glory!
Thank you, Lisa. So very kind of you. Yes, I continue to choose to trust Him because I know that He loves me and that He is good. <3