Kingdom Is Spelled with 3 Ls

Colossians 3:1-2 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. NLT

I’ve known several people who in their 40s and 50s gave up on God. I imagine they were discouraged and disappointed. They hoped life would go a certain way, and it didn’t. I suppose we can all relate to a degree. Life can be unbearably painful at times.  

Thinking about heaven can help us through those tough times.

• In heaven, darkness will be overcome once and for all. Sin will no longer reign. Every wrong and injustice will be made right. Things may not be fair now, but justice will win out. Knowing this can help us be at peace as we live in the midst of injustice. We await a world of light!
• God is going to wipe the tears from our eyes and that will mark a turning point. After that death, mourning, and all the tear-causing things will be done with. We will be on the other side of suffering! No more mixed blessings. Only blessings! It will be a completely different life!
• We will be welcomed into heaven like a bride is welcomed into a marriage. We will be loved and wanted. And God will be committed to us for all of eternity! This is not merely what God’s heart is going to be toward us then, but he has the same heart of love for us now!

Darkness will be vanquished by light, we will leave suffering behind as we begin a new life, and God will eternally embrace us in love. We can endure the pain this life by setting our sights on the next!