“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” -1 John 3:2
We have all these images and pictures in our heads when we think of heaven. Mostly maybe borrowed from greeting cards or television. But really, what is heaven like?
Too often we can get distracted by that question, forgetting that God placed us here on earth for a reason: to live, to serve, to enjoy and cultivate creation. We are warned not to place our hope in heaven-of-the-future, but in God-of-the-NOW. We get lured into doing good and living a Christian life so will get a reward of comfort and luxury, an end to work and pain. But perhaps we are missing the true joys of heaven, joys that are with us even in this life.
When Johnny Cash was asked in an interview for his description of paradise, he replied simply and beautifully, “This morning, with her, having coffee.”
We get so distracted, working for our reward, earning our pay, winning the future of peace we long for… that we forget the God-given treasures all around. Heaven on earth.
Friends. Family. Love. These are what heaven is made of, not an eternity of angel wings sitting on clouds playing harps without a care. The Kingdom of God is here. While we are waiting for heaven-to-come, don’t miss the heaven that is here and now. Wherever love is found, there is heaven.
“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, „Here it is,‟ or „There it is,‟
-Luke 17:20-21
Pastor Andy
Andy's February Worship Schedule
2 “Darkness to Light” - Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27
9 “Love Song: Human” - Song of Songs 1-4; Genesis 2
16 “Love Song: Divine” - Song of Songs 8:6-7;
Revelation 19:6-9, 21:1-4
23 “The Cost of Following”
Matthew 8:18-22; Matthew 19:16-22
