We have always wondered what heaven would be like. Will heaven be boring? Would it be just a series of praise and worship? Would it be an eternity of singing and harps and trumpets? Let’s face it, the heaven we picture in our minds seems a lot boring than what we have here on earth.
There were times when I would wonder what heaven is like. And from what I hear and from what I watch, it pretty much seems boring and uneventful. Yes people tell me that we can ask God anything we want (which would seem like it would take an eternity to accomplish), people also tell me that heaven would be a happy and joyful place (but how happy is happy? And how happy would it be when it seems so boring?), people also tell me that it would be wonderful and different. Still, life here on earth seems pretty much more exciting, wouldn’t you think so?
This entry is inspired by the book ‘The Journey of Desire’ by John Eldredge. Most of the words that I have used in this entry has been derived from his own words in his book – this is because I cannot describe heaven better than how he wonderfully he paints it.
When we think of heaven, we can’t even begin to imagine how it would be like. And if we try, it would seem bleak and boring. Churches don’t really describe heaven in much detail so we try to use our imagination. Unfortunately, our imagination is as tainted as our world – and we take our ideas from the media.
“I think the fear of being bored is an unspoken fear of many people about the life that is coming. After-all, the never-ending singalong in the sky isn’t exactly breathtaking.” – John Eldredge
Our Misery
“During a long layover at O’Hare, I studied the man who sells popcorn from a little stand in one of the terminal hallways. He sat silently on a stool as thousands of people rushed by. Occasionally, every fifteen minutes or so, someone would stop and buy a bag. He would scoop the popcorn from the bin, take the money and make change – all without a word being spoken between them. When the brief encounter was over, he would resume his place on the stool, staring blankly, his shoulders hunched over. I wondered at his age; he seemed well past fifty. How long had that been his profession? Could he possibly make a living at it? His face wore a weary expression of resignation winged with shame. Adam, I thought, what happened?” – John Eldredge
All our miseries prove our greatness: “They are the miseries of a dethroned monarch.” – Pascal
In our world today, only a very few people are blessed enough to make a living doing what they love. We yearn to do something of meaning and value that flows naturally out of the gifts and capacities of our souls. We were meant to be the kings and queens of the earth.
Alas, we have come a long way from the Fall.
The Kingdom of God
We usually hear of the Kingdom of God and that it is near. What does it mean?
It simply means the restoration of things to that which God said “It is good.” It means that things will be as they were meant to be – by the Creator, Designer and Maker of this universe. It means that this world will be healed.
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.” – Isaiah 65:24
Pollution will be gone, global warming will be a thing of the past, and the race of man will once again be put back in their rightful place as kings and queens – rulers of the earth. Sons and daughters of the King of the universe.
How’s it gonna be like?
“I’ve spoken with many people who believe that we become “spirits” when we die; that we lose our bodies when we float around. Some even believe that we become angels. But I don’t want to lose my body; I very much want it to be renewed. When we conceive of our future existence as something ghostly, mysterious, completely “other” than anything we’ve ever known, we place it beyond all hoping for. (You can only hope for what you desire.) the “otherness” of it takes away its power. But look at the first example — Jesus. What happens to Him after He dies? He is resurrected, of course. As someone or something else? No, as Himself, only healed and very much alive. Then what — float around? No, He has breakfast.”
– John Eldredge
Here we see how our lives after this life will be like. People and the world will tell you that you will be a different being. A ‘Spirit’ perhaps, which will float around and look at the world and watch as it grows old and everyone dies and joins you. There are so many myths and lies about the life after the one we’re living. There are so many myths and lies about heaven that we need to renew our minds.
What are we gonna do?
The God of the heavens and of the earth is a master craftsman. He is the most creative and intellectual being you have ever known.
“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
The Bible says that we are like God. We are sons and daughters of God.
If you meet the son of Einstein, you would probably consider him somewhat of an inventor and intellectual, if you meet the son of Mozart, you would probably expect him to be musically inclined somewhat. We are expected to be like God. God is a creator and a monarch.
“Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’?” – John 10:34
We are the creation of the great Creator – designed and purposed to be like Him. When the Bible declares we are God’s image, it is describing not certain qualities of our character but capacities of our nature. This is why, when the essence of our likeness to God is announced, it is in the context of our position upon the earth, our place in creation:
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” – Genesis 1:26
We are made like God in our creative powers because we are to be like God in ruling the earth. We are meant to be kings and princes who are free to work as we please and desire. And in God’s Kingdom, we shall do so.
Imagine, a gardener who is given a garden without weeds and with good soil. Imagine an architect who can carry out his own designs without having to answer to anyone. Imagine your work – complete and perfect. Just the way you want it to be. Then you show it to God and say “Here Father. This one’s for you.”
“Somehow, we human beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts that are truly us.” – Os Guinness
There are little precious times in our lives when we finish a work we love and say “This is what I’m made for.” Remember those precious moments? Remember how temporal they are? Do you desire a lifetime of such accomplishments and self-fulfillment?
Heaven is what you’re made for. It is where you can truly be yourself.
