Often when I am sad, discouraged, or life seems full of trials, I think about the joys of heaven in an attempt to adjust my mindset. This is a good practice. James 1 tells us that trials lead to steadfastness, and that perseverance through the trials leads to a crown of life. Paul encouraged the Corinthians with the truths that—despite heavy persecution—he had far greater realities in heaven:
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal
But perhaps a danger to avoid is looking upward to that eternal weight of glory only when we are down, discouraged, and depressed. Perhaps our eyes are usually so focused typically on what we see around us in both the humdrum and really enjoyable days, that when we do get super down and need to look up to the unseen, it takes a bit more effort than it should.
This could be solved by setting our eyes above on a regular, daily basis:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:1-2).
My husband mentioned in a recent sermon how he was enjoying the beauty of my parents’ yard and our relaxed time together. This beauty caused him to think of heaven and how much more glorious it would be. I began to think of all the things that I cherish—and perhaps at times am tempted to idolize. All of these things are visible, good gifts of God, but what greater gifts they could be if I recognized them all as pointing to a greater joy and beauty that I will experience in heaven with God for eternity.
Wayne Martindale, mirroring C.S. Lewis’ views of earthly joys in light of heaven, wrote:
“Any earthly good may enrich and give a momentary sense of satisfaction, but we always want something more. At their core, Joy and all other desires are for Heaven, signposts along the way to guide the pilgrim home.”2
Lewis himself said that the problem is not that we have too strong desires for joys on earth, but too weak. He calls us “half-hearted creatures” who are happy enough with basic human pleasures:
“When infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”3
I decided that I would list many of the things I really love and enjoy, followed by what the Bible has to say about some greater, now-unseen, eternal aspect of that same pleasure. Perhaps my making a practice of regularly looking heavenward in times of joy will make it a bit more natural to continue to look heavenward in times of difficulty.
Marriage
Marriage is a gift. I recognize that not everyone has experienced a great or even good marriage, but many Christians do. So, I couldn’t help but think of the marriage supper of the Lamb. As I enjoy my relationship with my husband (and we hope to share fruit from the tree of life together in heaven!), I remember that he pictures Christ and I—his wife—the church (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33). And one day, though he and I won’t be married in heaven (like the angels; cf. Matthew 22:30), we will experience together the wedding feast of the Lamb:
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)
Family
Besides my relationship with my husband, I cherish most on earth our family time. My family has moved from one state to another within the last year which also meant changing from homeschooling full time to traditional school. I’ve missed that huge amount of family time we’ve had, so I’ve absolutely loved our summer break so far with all the time we’ve been able to spend together. How can I turn this joy to point to eternal joy?
First and foremost, I want to spend eternity with my family. As my husband and I have told them multiple times, we know we will be there, and we want them to be there, too. So we have eternity-focused conversations with our children all the time. Like John writing to his “beloved children,” we communicate to ours:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1-4)
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