I realize this is a controversial title and topic. Couple that with my rule about not discussing religion or politics in public, and all signs point to not posting about heaven.
But Pastor Chris’ sermon really hit home for me on Sunday (unbelievable how he actually does that every week), so I thought you might want to hear a different entry way to heaven. As with most topics, Chris explored heaven from a secular and religious perspective, which is why I feel like I can share many of his examples with you. It is never my intention to force Christianity or religion upon you. I don’t appreciate traditional Bible beatings either. I feel like the way he teaches the New Testament is to reinforce basic tenets that make people “good” and keep their hearts and minds positive despite their beliefs.
If you read on, all that I ask of you is to recognize that I will do my best to communicate his message as he intended it to be heard (for the podcast of the sermon discussing love on Earth and in heaven, click here). Also, please suspend your judgment of me personally. It is not easy opening yourself up online, and while I usually choose not to do so anymore, I am compelled to share so on this topic.
“Heaven is unbelievable.”
Chris started by addressing the concept of heaven, as far-fetched for a lot of people. So he visited other concepts that at one time seemed unbelievable, but have since become realized. Like a cell phone that fits in your pocket and has more technological power than the Apollo spaceship that sent astronauts to the moon. In the ‘80s, no one would have believed you if you told them that one day a smartphone smaller than your hand would be a common device. So while heaven might be inconceivable, that doesn’t make it impossible.
“Our world is better when we imagine heaven.”
Belief and faith are more powerful than people often realize. And there is nothing wrong with having a blind faith that allows your imagination to seek out and create something positive. Chris gave an example of a champion downhill skier who was blind and could race at the speed of seventy miles per hour straight down a mountain without fear. When he finally had a surgery to correct his sight, he could no longer ski because he lost his sense of feeling and began to fear the mountain. What he imagined was always a positive while what he saw crippled him.
The way I began to explore this notion—there are a lot of terrible tragedies in this life, what is the harm in imagining another that is without pain and suffering? Even if it doesn’t change the way I live, even if Jesus isn’t my savior, will I be happier in this life if I dream of another?
“The active ingredient in heaven is love.”
Chris’ discussion was based on Corinthians 13, which basically says you can have all of the material things in the world and incomparable power, and be as selfless as humanly possible, but if you don’t have love, it is all for nothing.
Love is our piece of heaven on Earth, Chris claims. “Think about it, you are the happiest when you love and are loved really well. You can be miserable in a big house or driving a nice car … Happiness is the kind of love where you say to yourself, I was made for this.” In that love, you will find an intimacy without shame, the ability to “see clearly face-to-face” with those you love. (Quote is from Corinthians 13:12)
Corinthians ends, “But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love.”
I wrote this in hope that it would shine a positive light on your life as we begin this new year. Whatever you are seeking, try using love to find it. It has been my experience that if you plant one positive seed, it will fertilize the rest of your life.
