Ready to be honest? Okay, then. How many of you think life is just grand exactly the way it is?
Even if things are going well for you, consider the plight of millions of people who don’t have safe water. Or those suffering through war, persecution, organized crime, poor health, wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes. I’m pretty sure they don’t think this life is just ducky.
So if any of those folks are spiritual — especially if they follow Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the Son of God — why wouldn’t they believe and hope for another life beyond this one where existence isn’t a nightmare?
Let’s shift gears for a moment and consider my stepson. He’s a Jesus follower and is currently in charge of a billion-dollar construction project in eastern Canada. He has a wife, three school-age children, loves playing board games, leads worship at his church and believes the life to come will be better than this one.
Call me crazy (many have and for good reason), but it certainly doesn’t sound like my stepson is waiting to die.
Indeed, Wikipedia lists more than 60 (that’s correct; sixty) living, accomplished, Jesus-following thinkers in the fields of engineering, physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical sciences. And those are just the ones who’ve gone public with their faith. I’m gonna bet none of them are waiting to “depart this mortal coil,” as William Shakespeare described it in Hamlet.
Seeking another viewpoint, I sent the meme that inspired this blog to my pastor friend Ross Carkner. Here are his thoughts:
“Isn’t it reasonable to look forward to a better life once I am finished my education, once I get married, once I have kids, once the kids have grown, once I have grandchildren, once I retire, … and even once I die? To long for something better does not diminish what I have now, but recognizes that what I have now is incomplete.
“Some people apparently find satisfaction in this life, but many, many do not. What do we say to those whose life doesn’t come close to capitalizing on the advantages offered to many? To be content with declaring this life is the best that there is, or all that there is, suggests more about the attitudes of that person than it does of those who look for and long for more.”
During his physical time on Earth, Jesus knew about and understood this longing. Indeed, He told His followers about the life to come: My Father’s home [Heaven] is designed to accommodate all of you. I am going to make arrangements for your arrival. I will be there to greet you and welcome you.
If Jesus has any credibility with you, then this might be a good time to check Him out — His life, ministry, death (to erase the ‘sins’ of all His followers) and resurrection. Do it with an open mind and consult knowledgeable Jesus followers with any questions. You can even email me (fdking@hotmail.com) and I’ll do my very imperfect best to answer. I believe it’s worth your time and effort. 🙂
