Are You Looking Forward to Heaven?
I know. Crazy, right? I shouldn’t have to write this blog post.
When we recite the Nicene Creed during Mass, we say:
“I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”
But when we say those words, have you ever asked yourself if you’re really looking forward to Heaven (not just content with the idea, but with having an anticipation for)? Have we given Heaven, our forever home, much thought at all?
Is Heaven sad to think about, because it means the end of our body and life we worked so hard for on Earth? Does Heaven seem like a far-off hazy abode of repetitious (dare I say, boring) existence?
I answered yes to both of those questions, before I read the book Imagine Heaven by John Burke.
Imagine Heaven by John Burke
John Burke explores the stories of near death experiences (NDEs), which “occur at a time when the person is so physically compromised that they are typically unconscious, comatose, or clinically dead.” NDEs are caused by “modern advances in medical knowledge [that] make it possible to revive patients from increasingly severe, life-threatening injuries and illnesses, including cardiac arrest.”
The stories NDErs (near death experiencers) tell following their miraculous recovery are primarily spiritual encounters in the afterlife, Heaven. There are common themes that NDErs encounter during their time away from Earth, whether it is a “life review” (basically a slideshow of chronological events from their lifetime), being led in a tunnel leading to the light of Heaven, or even meeting Jesus Christ himself inside the gates of Heaven.
And the wonderful thing about this medical anomaly is that philosophers, scientists, and atheists alike have been converted to Christianity because of their welcoming experiences in Heaven.
We’re Focusing on the Wrong Things
From reading the book, Burke makes it a point that we focus on the wrong things in this life as faulted human beings. We focus on money, lust, and being first place in everything.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45
It will be the relationships we foster with others during this life that will take us onto the next. How much we care for our families, friends, and the poor is what will determine our judgement.
- “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).
- “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me'” (Matthew 19:21).
Live as Jesus did, and we may be able to reap the eternal reward of Heaven.
God’s Love For Us
God has prepared a place in Heaven to dwell with Him (John 14:2). God excitedly awaits our arrival to Heaven.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3
God’s love is so much more powerful than any type of love we could ever think of on Earth. Sure, we have close relationships with our friends, and even closer ones with our family, but all will fall short compared to the complete and harmonious relationship we have with God. We will fully realize this truth when we meet Him in Heaven. (The NDE stories in Imagine Heaven will speak to this truth.)
Heaven Will Be Much More Wonderful Than Earth
Think of all the suffering, sin, and sorrow each of us faces in the state of the world. God will deliver us from all of those earthly troubles in Heaven.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We have so much joy to look forward to! God wants to welcome us to the place He has prepared for us! So “take heart,” because if we live for the glory of God, we will reap the benefits soon.
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard . . . All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9
I think a common misconception that people have is that Heaven will be a limited form of the fun we are accustomed to here on Earth. And in a way, yes, that’s true – like the type of “fun” people have that doesn’t glorify God. However, there are good things we enjoy now – such as sports, art, reading, and learning – that will also be available in Heaven, in a way that still glorifies God. Remember, God makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Think for a second about your favorite vacation destination. The beach, the mountains, a lake? What about those destinations makes you want to stay there forever?
Is it an inner peace because you’re away from all the worries your everyday life holds? Whatever feeling you hold to that specific place, imagine what what Heaven will be like (so much greater than anything created here on Earth). And it will be eternal (which means no more post-vacation blues). There will be “no more sadness” (Revelation 21:4) in Heaven.
I think we need to stop limiting God and His creation – Heaven – because God is limitless. Believe Heaven is limitless, and I think that’s when we’ll start to look forward to heaven.
Our True Home
Heaven is our “home sweet home.” This life we’re living is just to test if our will aligns with our creator’s.
God is not some deity we should ever be scared of, or feel far away from just because He created the universe. He loves each and every one of you, more than any of us could even try to comprehend. He wants a relationship with you now, so you can continue it within the gates of Heaven!
Run to God at all times (not just times in need). Receive His son’s precious body and blood during in the Eucharist at Mass as a reminder for His sacrifice for us – His only son, Jesus, died on a cross so that we may have a chance to reach Heaven someday.
Heaven is not a scary, it’s where our human souls will finally exist designed their life-filling purpose – fully, for God, with God. So, start looking forward to Heaven!
To buy Imagine Heaven, click here.
Sources linked in text.
All links non-affiliate.
For more resources on Heaven:
- Akaine Kramarik
- Painted the “Prince of Peace” at only 8 years old
- Heaven is for Real movie
- Based on a true story of a boy who went to heaven and came back to tell his story
- Imagine Heaven book review from a Catholic priest
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