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Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)
While we might not be able to figure out the reasons for our pain and suffering, we know that Christ is with us and working to redeem our broken creation, broken hearts, and broken world. One day all will be made right.
I don’t know about you but confession time for me, I love watching Disney movies. I love the old classics the animated stuff. I like watching them – even the new ones. Have you ever noticed that most Disney movies have a happy ending? The princess marries the prince, and they live happily ever after. And the whole kingdom lives happily ever after. But we never see what that happily ever after looks like.
Consider Mary Poppins, where the Banks family is healed and reunited. The father is present to his children. They laugh, and fly a kite together and yet there’s a tinge of sadness as Mary Poppins leaves presumably to help another family. The gospel story shows us that we have more than happily ever after waiting for us.
Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV) Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
In his book, More Coffee Shop Theology, ( © 1198 Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City). Dr. Frank Moore writes:
“Paul reminded us, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). We are resident aliens, keeping a light touch on earthly things.
This mind-set does not mean we withdraw from normal earthly life; we are actively involved in our world as Christ’s hands and feet, ministering to the needs of those around us. Rather, this mind-set keeps life in perspective for us. It helps us sift the important from the trivial, the eternal from the mundane. It reminds us that this life is not the whole story. We are preparing our souls for a much higher purpose and much better place. Life here is judged by its relationship to life there.” (p.128)
The Good News – he Gospel story – tells us we have more. We have more than a good ending with a tinge of sadness. One day we will have the perfect union of God with humanity. And pain and sadness will be no more. We will be with Christ himself.