C. S. Lewis once commented: “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us…”1
As I have matured in the Lord I have come to realize that the more we do it God’s way the more joy we will get in this life. In a way I am being selfish by obeying God because the more I obey Him the more blessed I will be. Why strive for momentary pleasure when we can get eternal joy; and not just in heaven but right now. I have found that nothing is more precious to me than the joy of the Lord. Yes, it often comes through trials but true joy is profoundly satisfying knowing that when we do it God’s way we are pleasing the Creator of the universe.
There are several reasons I believe we should always rejoice as a Christian:
First, C. S. Lewis’ concept of infinite joy reminds me of (2 Corinthians 4:17): “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Imagine if we endure light affliction now we will receive an eternal weight of glory – oh what a joyous thought! And isn’t that why we are here – to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever!
Second, the tree of life will be restored to us. Adam and Eve should have lived forever by being allowed to eat from the tree of life. However, because of sin they forfeited that right and soon after the first few chapters of Genesis the tree of life disappears from the scene. But once we get to Heaven the tree of life reappears. We know that the tree of life is in heaven because we read in (Revelation 2:7): “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
And third, when we get to heaven we will find it a place of great luminosity. Remember there will be no night in Heaven! For we read in (Revelation 21:25): “Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).”
So infinite joy, an eternal weight of glory, the tree of life, and brilliant luminosity all await the child of God in Heaven. No wonder the Apostle Paul could say in (Romans 8:18): “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
1 C. S. Lewis on motivation, self-denial, and rewards (livingbyfaithblog.com)
YES! The longer I live, the more I look forward to being in Heaven!
Elaine