Heaven.
As a Christian, I hear a lot about Heaven, and how wonderful it will be, as well as about learning to live with an eternal perspective.
“This world is not about this world.”
“There’s more to this life than what we see and feel here.”
“This is our temporary home.”
“This world is not our home.”
“Eternity with Christ begins today!”
“Store up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust can not destroy.”
Everyone says that Heaven will be infinitely better than life on Earth. It will be amazing!
I personally don’t ascribe to the fluffy clouds and harps picture of Heaven, based on what I’ve read in the Bible, because, frankly, having to sit on a cloud and play a harp for eternity doesn’t sound ‘infinitely better’ than life here on Earth.
If Heaven is something like the REAL Narnia of The Last Battle – an amplification of everything that is good and wonderful here on Earth, I think that will be wonderful.
If Heaven is something like I experience when I practice a prayer exercise called “The Garden of My Heart”, I think that would be fantastic.
If Heaven is something like the transformed shack in the book The Shack, I think that would be spectacular.
If Heaven is something like the Bible describes as the New Earth, where everything is restored, and we live at peace with each other and with God, continuing to work and live and worship in a completeness and wholeness not experienced since Eden, I think that would be … WOW!
I’ve read books about Heaven. I’ve read books about other people’s supposed visits in Heaven during a death or near-death experience. And I’ve read a lot in the Bible about Heaven. And I’m still not sure what Heaven will be ‘like’, so I’m not sure what to think…
I know in my head that we really aren’t meant to know what Heaven will be like. Heaven is supposed to be something that is indescribable to us in our current state of understanding. Our physical, broken, sinful being is unable to comprehend a healed and whole being, or the world that such a being would exist in.
Maybe it’s my engineering mind, I don’t know… maybe it’s just the fear of the unknown, or the fear of judgement … or maybe a lack of faith or knowledge, or both…? But the idea of Heaven isn’t exactly comfortable to me. Honestly, I almost feel afraid about Heaven sometimes.
Yes, I’m a pastor’s wife. How can I even admit to this? And who has ever heard of someone being afraid of Heaven? Hell, sure, but Heaven?
I am pretty sure I’m meant look forward to it, and not to fear it, especially if I believe that Christ as my saviour has provided a way for me to be there through His sacrifice. And I will (and do) confess to being a Christ follower, accepting Jesus as my Lord and my saviour, and living according to his example (as best I can). Yet I’m still unsure enough about Heaven that it’s caused me a fair bit of anxiety from time to time.
I’ve drilled down deep enough to know that I’m concerned as much about what I leave behind as I am about what I go to. When life feels like a mess, it’s hard to know that when I die, I leave that mess to someone else. I don’t like that idea.
The idea of “Eternity” is also kinda freaky to me. Everything about our earthly existence is bookended with life and death. Once we die here, we go on to eternity, and eternity is just … forever… What the HECK does that look like? I have no concept of forever, or ME being in FOREVER and around FOREVER… It boggles my mind, and freaks me out.
My heart (and spirit?) hopes that Heaven is real and true and more than I can imagine and wonderful and good. I want to hope that living (is that what we do in Heaven?) seamlessly in the Lord’s presence will be fantastic, and seeing Jesus face-to-face will be spectacular.
Honestly, I think I’m afraid to hope, though. If something looks too good to be true, it probably IS too good to be true. Yes, that’s my earthly mind talking, based on my earthly experiences, and my slightly cynical attitude these days.
I could write for ages, I think, because I’ve thought about it a lot. Suffice it to say that at this point I just hope I can come to peace with Heaven before I get there! Of course, it probably won’t matter then, right? I’m probably just weird, and paranoid, and crazy for even admitting any of this out loud.
Regardless of your religious affiliation (or non-affiliation), what do you think? [I’m really NOT opening the floor for a theological debate, or to have to defend my own belief in Christ, please… I just shared some real stuff straight from my heart. Be nice, k?]
I think the idea of eternity is a bit freaky too but overall I actually find the idea very appealing. It is the dying part that freaks me out. After that I am all good with whatever happens I think.
Thanks for sharing Raylene- I’m sure you are not the only one who has these thoughts!!
Yah, I think the dying part is a bit freaky for sure. And I want to hope for a positive eternity… but I’m afraid to even hope. Thanks for responding Tara!
Honestly, I’ve never thought of it that way.
This paragraph really struck me: “I’ve drilled down deep enough to know that I’m concerned as much about what I leave behind as I am about what I go to. When life feels like a mess, it’s hard to know that when I die, I leave that mess to someone else. I don’t like that idea.”
Personally, I can’t wait, and I can’t wait to leave the mess for someone else to clean up b/c I’ve been cleaning them up all my life.
But then again, if I think about how I live each day, I like to go to bed with the house picked up, things in their place, dishes washed, etc. So I *live* more like your paragraph describes than mine. Hmmm.
Thanks for this.
I’m sure my house doesn’t look like yours when I go to bed, Tanya. That’s probably still a big part of it for me – feeling like I’ll have not left everything in an ideal situation for anyone. There’s not any peace when I think about it right now. I’m working on it, praying about it, and reading more about it in good resources.
The idea of eternity is freaky, but even freakier? There is a heaven, but we won’t be going there. Only heavenly beings (Angels, God) are allowed in heaven, and nobody else gets admitted. When Jesus comes back, those who were saved and redeemed will inherit the kingdom (not in heaven, but on the new earth) in a new place where sin doesn’t come into play. It will be a beautiful thing, but it’s not heaven, per say. See? No reason to be scared about Heaven now 🙂
I’ve never thought of it like that, Amberr. I do believe that if there is an afterlife, it will take place on the New Earth, the redeemed place that the Lord has recreated in all its glory. Is there an in between place, before Jesus returns, that we go to (as Randy Alcorn calls it – the present Heaven)? I’ll be looking into this some more for sure.
Eternity is still a weird thought for me. Forever……… it seems too good to be true.
Thank you for being so open Raylene. I worry from time to time that I may not be spiritual enough for heaven, that I won’t enjoy it the way I am supposed to. I definately have a lack of faith in myself! I am so glad though (as I’m sure you are) that we have eternity with God to look forward to; that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. Without that hope, my life would seriously be a mess!
Thanks again for being real! 🙂
Interesting thoughts, Kay! Thanks so much for sharing. I think you keyed on something: “I definitely have a lack of faith in myself!” Yes, I think that’s where I’m at, too. I am glad that we have something better to look forward to with God at the end of all of this… I’m still unsettled by not knowing what that is going to look like. Things get pretty messy for me in real life right now, and that probably clouds my eternal perspective. Thank you for reading, and for being real, too. I appreciate your thoughts very much!
hi Raylene If you don’t like what your are thinking, you need some new thoughts. The terror of the law and of God can never harm you because, your goodness can’t win God’s love. Nor can your badness lose it. But you can resist it…whiles you were sleeping on your bed why did you dream of driving to church? this to me means there is another world. think about this for a minute: if you build your house and someone comes to say; excuse me am moving in with you when you don’t know him what will you say? isn’t it strange to be looking for what is spiritually physically? that’s why faith is the key. salvation is not by your been sweet for his grace. Grace is just Grace it can never be earn. follow me on by clicking like on the page (catch the supernatural knowing ) to join me on facebook and i will make you sell eternal insurance
Galatians 2:21 “I refuse to reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God through the law, it means Christ died for nothing!” (GET FAITH)
I am only 17 years old and experience the same fear. I feel like a freak because heaven is supposed to feel great but I fear it will be boring almost. I feel horrible thinking that but it is a true fear I experience. I have grown up in a christian household and Love God, but that fear, recently, has had me in a depressed state. I always go back to think about my father telling me that the fear is Satan talking in my ear perverting the idea of heaven with what Hell will really be like. Ill be praying for both our sound minds and God to give us peace.
Jessica, thanks so much for your response, sweetie! It is all the unknowns that add up to fear, I think. I was told yesterday by a great woman that fear is a natural part of our wiring – it’s what we do with fear that makes the difference. Courage is being afraid and still moving forward. Thank you for your prayers! I’ll be praying courage for both of us, as we face the unknowns (boring, etc.???) of Heaven! HUGS!
Oh my Raylene! Did you get all my thoughts through some sort of osmosis? You nailed my thoughts pretty dang closely! Of course with my Catholic upbringing, I end all my swirling thoughts with a good round of guilt, for questioning things. And I’m dating a widower, so I throw in a twist of wondering if my boyfriend’s deceased wife can “see”us and is “with” him and his kids all the time!! Now there’s an image that my mind goes really crazy with! Lol. Anyway. I never post on these things, but this one was so perfectly fitting to me that I just had to!!! I just always pray that God takes the thoughts away from me, because he knowd Im hiscrazy little child here on earth!
Wow, Kat! I’m so glad to have put into words something that resonates with you.
I don’t think people in Heaven are ‘with us’ here anymore – as in your situation, that does get creepy, right?? LOL!
There are just SO many unknowns. It’s hard to settle on these things for myself. *sigh*
Oh and Raylene and sweet Jessica…. boredom is definitely high on my list of Heaven worries. Forever is very very long… too long to comprehend what we’d do???? And by the way, Raylene, I am an engineer too! 2+2=4 is just so black and white (and therefore peaceful!!).
LOL, Heaven definitely doesn’t seem to add up according to my usual logica, that’s for sure!
I have NO idea what forever can even look like, so that’s just freaky. Boredom or not, I still can’t wrap my head around it!
I have a question for everyone…what do you do when your 2 1/2 year old is asking these questions! We were singing a song before bed last night when she stopped me to ask about heaven. I told her it was a place we would all go someday if we believe in Jesus, and that we would all be together. She started crying and asked if we would never come back home. I told her that heaven would be our new home and that mom and dad and everyone would be there. It helped a little, but she asked my wife about it again this morning. I don’t know what to do. She had nightmares last night, which is unusual. I’m afraid I scarred her.
Ben, I think it’s pretty common for death and heaven to be kind of a scary idea for little people. It’s OK to say that you don’t have all of the answers, too, because we’ve never been to Heaven. You might look up a book called “Waterbugs and Dragonflies” (http://amzn.to/1bbtnl3) and I’m sure there are others that might fit her age range. You might also like to talk to your pastor, minister, or church elders for their ideas. Hang in there, Dad!
Thanks Raylene. When she asked again last night, I just told her that we don’t have to worry because God will take care of everything (like mom and dad take care of her). That really helped. I appreciate the advice. I’ll check out the book.
I have the exact sane problem. Forever is insane to me, I still want to do SOMETHING after I die! But I do understand that out earthly instinct is that things can’t be THAT GOOD right? But I think we all know the answer, that Heaven will be so super amazing, and until now, I truly believe that. In my mind I have to picture Heaven like many different vacations in different places all over the world (x10) in one place, yet while still helping people on earth and enjoying family and friends and other believers that you can meet. The we truly will be a community. Hope that helps ( idk what I just did but I think the power of the Holy Spirit got to me)
Kisses,
-Tiara
I’ve been in a really fearful place lately thinking about my life and eternity. It terrifies me. Just thinking about heaven makes me burst into tears. I know it shouldn’t be this way, after all- it’s our blessed hope. I pray for God to remove my fear, but until that happens, it calms my spirit to know I’m not alone. I know this is an old post, but thank you for writing it.
Hello, I am SO thankful that I’m not the only one going through this! I had a very strange vision when I was little, I could have sworn the tribulation was happening and it scared me for life. Then the concept of eternity hit me, and it was like running into a brick wall. I’ve always been wary of heaven ever since. I still have moments when I can’t sleep at night thinking about it, knowing that it IS going to happen someday and that day may be sooner than most of us think. I seriously don’t mean to scare anyone going through the same stuff but it’s just comforting talking (or typing) about it. Thanks so much for your article, hopefully someday I won’t be fearful of heaven anymore.