Hunger for Heaven

1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

I know for me, heaven is a concept that I cannot grasp. Eternal paradise goes beyond the realm of my imagination. A perfect world that radiates God's glory in such a complete and beautiful way is unfathomable. I can picture the most beautiful sunset, the smile of a baby, the love of a newlywed couple, the power in a thunderstorm, or the serenity of still waters-- yet all of these beautiful and even breathtaking things do not even come close to comparing with the everlasting, glorious kingdom waiting for us when these temporary bodies are retired. Nothing I can imagine can even scratch the surface of the intense pleasures and wonders that await us when we enter the presence of the most high.

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there? ”
-- John Piper

This really weighed heavily on my mind for a few moments when I heard it, and to be really honest, that heaven sounds awesome-- for a time. But there is no way that the paradise described above could replace Christ. Nothing can truly satisfy except Christ.

So why do most of those things Piper talked about sound like a joyful paradise? is it wrong to find joy in the things of this world?

According to Ted Dekker, is his book "the Slumber of Christianity" not only is it perfectly ok to enjoy pleasures of this world, but they are essential to keeping a passion for heaven. Why is a passion for heaven important? well, just look at what Paul writes throughout the New Testament:

Col. 1:3-5 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel

Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

1 Thess. 5:8-9 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

Heaven is where our hope should reside. The pleasures of this earth are a foretaste of the future glory that awaits us. Wouldn't it be freeing to know that the things of this life are not supposed to satisfy us completely? We could stop looking for happiness in such things. Instead, view them as gifts, little tastes of what will truly satisfy and life will become much more joyful. at least mine has. Even ordinary everyday things can be glimpses of eternity. And in those moments, There is joy.