Build a Strong Future - Friday
Today’s Verse
Revelation 21:1-2
Then I saw a “new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (NIV)
When I was a kid, I sometimes found it difficult to fit in. I didn’t always get the jokes the other kids were telling, and I couldn’t tell when they were joking or just plain making fun of me. Finding my place was difficult and I preferred sometimes to just be alone. Don’t get me wrong, I had friends, but I just felt like things were off. Like I was off. Ever feel like that?
As a Christian in this world, I feel like that more and more often—like some things are just off. I watch the news and think to myself, “When did we get here? Things that were bad are now good. Things that were good are now bad.” By believing in God, I’m now in the minority. Even some Christians are pushing ideas that are not, well, Christian. I’m outnumbered and concerned for my kids and grandkids. I don’t seem to fit in. I feel as though I don’t belong. I’m not alone, am I? C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Another world? Yes. One that’s not broken. One that’s not dying of this cancer we call sin. One that is totally restored and back to the way God created it to be. As it was in the beginning. Does that strike a chord with you? It should. God placed that desire in all of us—a desire for the New Heaven and the New Earth. This is why we do what we do. We want to bring as many people to this “newness” as possible. We want to bring them to Jesus.
Most people don’t know this, but I’m getting married. My soon-to-be bride’s name is Jen. If you’ve followed me, you know my first wife died of cancer less than a year and a half ago. Some of you will be very happy for me and others will think it’s too soon, and I can appreciate both. But because of Jesus and His power over sin and death, and my knowledge of the future, I can move forward with Jen in confidence and peace. I have a vision of Heaven: Amy, my first wife, and Jen, my soon-to-be bride, are both in Heaven with me. We’re all sitting by on the bank of a beautiful lake talking. Jesus and I are on the dock fishing together. I look over at the two of them and ask Jesus, “Are they ever going to quit talking?” He answers without even looking up from his fishing pole, “Nope!” I know then, I’m finally home.
REFLECTION
Reread Revelation 21 and try to imagine yourself there. At peace, at rest. With all the people you love around you. This is your future.