Our discussion last night was on "why we're afraid of the rapture?" - an issue I myself have a hard time swallowing. Three main reasons we may avoid this topic or assume the ever so mature hands over ears pose, chanting "I can't hear you!!" is because:
1. priorities (we want to get married, have kids, land the perfect job, etc.)
2. regrets (we play the "I wish I would have ______" game)
3. assurance ("Am I really ok with Jesus?" - since this is a one time deal unless you want to go through the Tribulation and that's another discussion)
When it comes to eternity, it can be a scary thing. Maybe we feel there's that one sin that will keep us out. Maybe we feel we aren't close enough to Jesus because otherwise, why would we be scared? Do we want to stand before Him, wishing we'd used our talents but were scared of failure? So are we afraid of disappointing Jesus? Instead of focusing so much on the here and now, we need to strive to be successful in our walk with God instead of solely in our work. We're scared because we don't know how truly awesome heaven is so we cling to this earth and what we know (as my hand slips up in agreement). Comprehending forever is hard because we're not made to understand it.
But while some eagerly look forward to the shedding of this skin and beginning forever, we have to avoid the trap of becoming complacent in this life and giving up living. We also have to realize there's nothing we can do to earn heaven. We can't read our Bible for hours upon hours or give more money in order to secure a spot in heaven. By having that attitude, it's as though we're attempting to climb on the cross and hang (not in the "hanging out" sense but literally - just wanted to clarify) with Jesus, suffering with Him.
So what if we knew when the event that's been spoken of since Jesus ascended into heaven was? What if the day was clearly marked on the calendar, as Christmas or the first day of fall (which I'm eagerly looking forward to)? We'd live so risky it doesn't matter anymore because we wouldn't be afraid of dying. And not risky in the sense of reckless but risky as in bold - bold in our faith, bold in our life. Hmmm, that's something to think about...
And to end on a lighter note, the question was asked, "what do you wonder about heaven?"
- will I be surrounded by people I know in the Rapture or strangers?
- is there a line to meet Jesus or will He simply show up at your mansion?
- what language will we speak?
- will we have to wear our crowns all the time?
1. priorities (we want to get married, have kids, land the perfect job, etc.)
2. regrets (we play the "I wish I would have ______" game)
3. assurance ("Am I really ok with Jesus?" - since this is a one time deal unless you want to go through the Tribulation and that's another discussion)
When it comes to eternity, it can be a scary thing. Maybe we feel there's that one sin that will keep us out. Maybe we feel we aren't close enough to Jesus because otherwise, why would we be scared? Do we want to stand before Him, wishing we'd used our talents but were scared of failure? So are we afraid of disappointing Jesus? Instead of focusing so much on the here and now, we need to strive to be successful in our walk with God instead of solely in our work. We're scared because we don't know how truly awesome heaven is so we cling to this earth and what we know (as my hand slips up in agreement). Comprehending forever is hard because we're not made to understand it.
But while some eagerly look forward to the shedding of this skin and beginning forever, we have to avoid the trap of becoming complacent in this life and giving up living. We also have to realize there's nothing we can do to earn heaven. We can't read our Bible for hours upon hours or give more money in order to secure a spot in heaven. By having that attitude, it's as though we're attempting to climb on the cross and hang (not in the "hanging out" sense but literally - just wanted to clarify) with Jesus, suffering with Him.
So what if we knew when the event that's been spoken of since Jesus ascended into heaven was? What if the day was clearly marked on the calendar, as Christmas or the first day of fall (which I'm eagerly looking forward to)? We'd live so risky it doesn't matter anymore because we wouldn't be afraid of dying. And not risky in the sense of reckless but risky as in bold - bold in our faith, bold in our life. Hmmm, that's something to think about...
And to end on a lighter note, the question was asked, "what do you wonder about heaven?"
- will I be surrounded by people I know in the Rapture or strangers?
- is there a line to meet Jesus or will He simply show up at your mansion?
- what language will we speak?
- will we have to wear our crowns all the time?
No comments:
Post a Comment