ABOVE IT ALL

It would be wonderful to live above the cares of the world. And I imagine in one way or another those that believe in heaven feel eternity is in part about being beyond the cares of this life.

But regardless of the reality of heaven, while we breathe we have to contend with this life and its demands. No matter how appealing the emotional mountain top of spirituality or serenity we seek, we simply can’t reside in the clouds.

That doesn’t keep people from trying. And for some in means finding some path of presumed stones of mellow they claim they can walk to be above it all.

I truly enjoy hearing somebody tell me they have turned all their cares over to the Lord. And if they are honest at all they normally admit they often have to do this numerous times because after they gave it to the Lord they still worried, got angry and had the same feelings about whatever bothered them.

I’m personally not persuaded that pretending you are in control of your emotions impresses God. It is like claiming you are heal and yet still sick. That doesn’t truly reflect on the Lord truly touching one’s life.

It is true God can change our lives. And I wish he would always change it in ways that we wanted him to change it. But he doesn’t it.

Instead I think his spirit will lift us up from time to time for a brief touch of the clouds. Enough to let us know the coming bliss we shall experience in heaven.

Then he gently brings us back to reality no matter how blunt and painful that happens to be. And part of life is facing each footsteps that is along a path covered in thorns instead of sand or grass.

Following the path he chooses for us doesn’t mean we will be free of the sadness or pain that we long to be free from in this life. It means he gives us the strength to cope with that cross.

Sometimes he does graced us with change and removes some trial. When this happen we can rejoice. We can feel grateful and encouraged to keep traveling during the times when the walk is difficult.

Along the way, God in his mercy will at least give us a glimpse of what lies above it all. I think he does so to encourage. Only it is for the purpose of helping us be obedient and not give up. Not for the purpose of deliverance before we go home to be with him in eternity.

Heaven is our destination. For some they want it now so they massage the scriptures to somehow make such desire justified. But God is faithful to his promises and not our will. Hopefully as we keep along the right path we shall be refreshed to continue our walk with his help and not by merely spending the time trying to pretend we live in the clouds and above it all.