Hello ,
As Christians, we can often struggle with being both in this world, and planning for the world to come.
Listen to the words of Phillip Yancey:
"A friend of mine uses the analogy of a busload of tourists en route to the Grand Canyon. On the long journey across the wheat fields of Kansas and through the glorious mountains of Colorado, the travelers inexplicably keep the shades down. Intent on the ultimate destination, they never even bother to look
outside.
As a result, they spend their time arguing over such matters as who has the best seat and who's taking too much time in the bathroom.
The church can resemble such a bus, says my friend. We should remember that the Bible has far more to say about how to live during the journey than about the ultimate destination.
Some people of faith tend to be either/or. ...
[But] the world does not need either/or people.... Rather, we need both/and Christians, people devoted to God's creatures and God's children as well as to God, and as committed to this life as to the afterlife, to this city as to the heavenly city."
Our "journey" to the heavenly land that has been planned for us (See John 14:1-3) can begin here and now...and it doesn't always have to be a tough "slog" to get there. We WILL have struggles, (there's no doubt about that...who doesn't struggle?) We can however enjoy the "journey" and bless others along the way.
If we're not happy Christians in this life, how could we possibly be happy Christians in the life to come?
Have a great day and God bless!
Pastor Mike / The Open Word
