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Just a Small Slice of Heaven?

Just a Small Slice of Heaven?

Of course, nothing in this world can even begin to replicate the world that awaits us.  But that doesn’t keep us from trying to find just a small slice of heaven here on earth.

It seems to me that those heavenly attributes we most desperately seek are rest, relaxation, joy and peace.  The reality is that these blessings are primarily delivered to us by the Holy Spirit in spiritual packages … through God’s Gospel wrapped in different and delightful ways.  And finally, that resource (the Gospel!) is where we all want to be actively abiding.

Otherwise peace, joy, rest and relaxation are difficult qualities to uncover in this hard-driven, stress-packed, muddled-up, uncertain, unsettled, and demanding society.  And especially all of them all at once.   Rarely will they be uncovered in one secular activity.

I have many hobbies I enjoy.  I enjoy them because they bring me a hint of the blessings I will experience fully in heaven.  Hiking and backpacking; hunting and fishing; metal detecting and gold panning; bird and animal watching; gardening and landscaping; cooking and grilling; traveling and exploring; reading and writing; watching a good ballgame or attending a concert … they all bring a measure of satisfaction.  But none of them foster complete rest and relaxation, peace and joy.

Obviously no non-spiritual activity in this life can or will.  But there is one thing that comes close … at least for me.  Camping.

Now I recognize that some of the good readers of this blog will cringe at the thought of residing for days in a tent with no amenities on the edge of a dirt-covered, smoke-filled campsite.  To be largely at the mercy of the whims of weather, wild critters and bugs would definitely NOT be restful and relaxing to many.  Nor would they find it peace-providing and joy-filling.

But it is to me.

Metal detecting?  (Enjoyable!)  Cooking a good meal?  (Satisfying!)  Observing wildlife?  (Delightful!)  Backpacking?  (Thrilling!)  Fishing?  (Potentially relaxing AND exciting!)  Reading a well-crafted book?  (Distracting … in a good way!)  Camping?  (Restful, relaxing, peaceful and joyful!)

I’ve wondered why I enjoy it so much.  Perhaps it’s because of the memories of camping with my parents and siblings when I was young, or with my wife and children when I was older.  The presence of loved ones is huge.  Undoubtedly my joy in camping also revolves around my love of the outdoors.  Being free from responsibilities other than “the very basics of life” (food, drink, and shelter) is another factor.  Camping allows me to unplug for an extended amount of time, along with the rest of my family who are with me.  And then there’s the added bonus of being able to easily participate in so many of my other enjoyable pursuits.  After all, we’re temporarily living in the outdoors!

Ah, there’s nothing like a camping trip to bring sweet rest, easy relaxation, deep-seated peace, and exquisite joy.  Nothing outside of spiritual elements in this world, anyway.  I recognize that it’s not for everyone.  But at least for me, camping is a small slice of heaven.

Imagine then what a large slice of heaven will be!  The complete, perfect and unending slice!  This is how an “elder” in heaven described salvation to John:

“These in white robes … are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.  ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.  The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’”  (Revelation 7:13-17).

In other words, the ultimate rest, relaxation, peace and joy will be found in heaven!  I can’t wait to “camp” there forever.

The View from the Top

The View from the Top

I’ve often thought that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.

Backpacking, of course, is where one carries everything they will need for the duration of a hike in a pack on their back.  It’s camping … minus the vehicle and most of the other conveniences.

One can backpack in all kinds of environments: forest, prairie or beaches.  We have a fair share of all of those in Washington.  But the environment that seems to especially draw the backpackers in this state is the mountains.  I believe there’s a reason for that!  (More on this in a moment.)

There’s actually a multitude of reasons a person might choose to backpack.  Perhaps it’s the desire to get away from the crowds.  Perhaps self-sufficiency.  It might be eagerness to overcome difficult challenges.  Or maybe the draw is the joy of time spent with dear family members or special friends.  Maybe backpacking scratches the adventure itch.  Maybe the pull is as simple as providing a much-needed break from normal responsibilities.

But one of the greatest lures … at least for me, and I believe for many … is to be able to enjoy the view from the top.  Consequently, we are pulled to the mountains.  John Muir stated, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  I (and others!) can relate.

However, in order to enjoy the top-tier views, one must begin below, at a lower level.  That necessitates a lot of uphill trudging to get where a trekker is going.  Keep in mind that one’s load is always heaviest at the bottom!  Not to mention that the hiker is undoubtedly at a higher elevation and the air is a bit thinner than he or she is accustomed.  So a backpack in the mountains typically starts hard, and then gets harder.

Inevitably the uphill slopes begin, and the hike becomes more grueling.  Sometimes one forges up a steep hill only to scramble back down into a valley on the other side.  Which means the hiker has to regain all the elevation he or she lost (and more!) on the other side of the valley!

Of course, there are a multitude of joys along the way: immersion in wilderness; scenes normally not seen; delightful conversations with companions; encounters with wildlife; lovely vistas and relaxing campsites; even unforgettable and life-changing experiences.  These are encouraging, but they aren’t the key reason the hiker is on this journey.  There is something bigger and better, greater and more grandiose, up ahead.

So the backpacker continues to lug his or her backpack ever higher.  Along the way, multiple inconveniences and even crises are encountered: tripping on roots and rocks; mosquitoes and biting flies; the sun beating down and burning one’s skin; rainstorms; thirst; disappointing meals; sore muscles or even injuries; rude people and thieving animals; sweat, dirt, and exhaustion.  Perhaps even a wrong turn or two along the way!

But finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the backpacker crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that the hiker strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!

Now is the time to unstrap the backpack, pull out a water bottle and a tasty snack, find a comfy seat and soak in the scenery.  Was it all that was expected?  My experience is that it’s usually better!  Was the rugged journey there worth it?  Undoubtedly!

I believe that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.  It begins rough, and generally gets rougher.  There are many joys along the way, of course, but multiple challenges too.  There are lovely views and relaxing rests at times, but frustrations are common as well.  Our path contains some comfortable walking, and even some downhill slopes.  Yet the trend is always uphill, and sometimes steeply!

But that’s OK, because our goal is the view from the top.  Every step is one step closer to the destination; every obstacle overcome brings us just a bit nearer; every blessing a precursor of what awaits. 

And finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the believer in Jesus crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that he or she strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!  It’s the first gorgeous sight of heaven, and it’s eternal immersion in the grace and glory of God!

Will it be all that we expected?  No.  It will be better!  Will the rugged journey there be worth it?  Oh, most definitely yes!

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine — the best of meats and the finest of wines.  On this mountain he will … swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces … In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation”  (Isaiah 25:6-9).