I’ve been reading a fantastic book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. I’ve got hundreds of sentences underlined and scribbled throughout the margins. And I’m only on Chapter 8.
Each time I pick it up to continue, I scan back through all my notes. There is so much truth in this book. And so many challenging questions.
The one I can’t get out of my head is found on page 100 and asks:
“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 natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”
Wow! I’ve never even thought about that. Sometimes I think about what heaven will be like. My kids ask me if our cat that died will be there. They want to know if the streets of gold are really gold. Is Grandma Lu there now?
I lift my family up often in prayer that we will all be in heaven together one day. I have a passion to teach my children what Jesus means to me, in hopes that they will choose His path.
But what if I got to heaven and all the things I love here on earth were there, but Christ was not? Would that bother me as much as if one of my children were not with me? Who would I look for first? How long would it take me to notice His absence?
What would heaven be like for you…if Christ was not there?
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Here’s the quote it reminded me of~
Suppose God proposed to you a deal and said:
“I will give you anything you want.
You can possess the whole world.
Nothing will be impossible for you.
Nothing will be a sin; nothing forbidden.
You will never die, never have pain,
never have anything you do not want
and always have anything you do want –
except one thing;
you will never see my face.â€
~
Augustine closed with a question:
Did a chill rise in your hearts, when you read the words, “you will never see my face�
That chill is the most precious thing in you;
for that is the pure love of God.
Wow, that’s tough Jodi. Very eye opening! I like the question Jess asked as well. Really makes you take a look at where you stand and what’s really important huh? Thanks!
Oh. wow. So totally speechless.