Heaven on Earth...REALLY?!

Contributed by:
Ron Klopfenstein
men's life director

People often make statements about their favorite things being like heaven on earth. Perhaps it’s being the day she said yes to you, or that amazing vacation or a visit to Yankee Stadium (a picture of the “new” heaven!)

This past weekend we learned that as good as some of these things are, God has a plan that is much bigger than that. Since man originally sinned our entire world, including all creation itself, has been hampered under the weight of that moment. The peace that existed with God turned into chaos.

The good news is that God has never forgotten His original intent; has never given up on His divine plan. It is in fact, a plan much bigger than a great meal or a great vacation or a great date. God actually made and designed us for a unique and special relationship with Him. Even though sin has caused a disruption in that relationship God sent His son Jesus to restore us to that special place of communion.

It’s true that the ultimate reality of that will not be realized until Christ returns. In that moment earth returns to the state of peace that existed at creation. It is also true that the certainty of Christ’s return and the ultimate restoration of our bodies should impact the way we live today. Even though the restoration is not complete it has begun. The reality of heaven should impact the way we go about life each day.

Certainly, it starts with the acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. It should also impact the way we treat others as we affirm their value as people. It should impact the way we use the resources God has entrusted us – our money, our talents and gifts. It should cause us to pause from time to time and appreciate the beauty of everything God made.

We are called to be people with such a focus on heaven that it cannot help but impact the way we live each day. So, how will it impact your day today? Will you stop a moment and look at the clouds, the trees the sky and say thanks? Will you offer a word of encouragement to that person who crosses your path? Will your household budget begin to reflect a heavenly use of your resources? As we are transformed in this way, we will begin to experience a bit more of heaven on earth.