Tag Archives: heaven now

THIS side of the door

Yesterday, we contemplated the discipline that allows us to see with faith, the other side of the door from where we stand. That is, to remember and take great hope in the truth that these present struggles are temporary. Yes, there is pain and suffering, disappointment and sorrow. But have hope. Heaven will wipe away every tear and there will be no more sorrow.

But what about the here and now? Is there hope and faith that allows us to participate in the higher glories, the richer joys, right now? Indeed, though it is a disciplined choice perhaps not many are eager to whole heartedly pursue. I confess that sometimes it seems too much a chore for me. But in fact the real chore that tires me most is ignoring its truth and trying to find my own way.

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is upon us. Yes, we have to wait to experience it fully. But the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’s promised presence IN US, allows us to experience a real part of heaven right now, on this side of the door. We can practice using our spiritual senses in ways similar to our earthly ones.

We can be touched by and touch others with His grace.
He can ask Jesus to see others and ourselves through His eyes.
We can hear His Spirit speak to us in our troubles and joys.
We can wake up and smell the fragrant aroma of Jesus’ love.
We can taste the goodness of God.
We can experience more fully what Jesus has already accomplished for us and in us.

Yes, we are on the other side of the door for the present moment. But practice using your spiritual senses and don’t be afraid to let difficult times help you awaken to what is on the other side and available to you even now. They will help us experience the power of faith, hope, and love even now. The kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 10:9

The other side of the door

Have you ever watched an amazing nature scene on TV or in a movie and wished you could jump right into the picture? Or perhaps you’ve actually been in a marvelous place filled with wonder and beauty, but found that you wanted to interact with the environment in an even richer manner. We see the sunshine and feel its warmth and yet walk into the house and have lost it already. We revel in the beauty of the colors of the earth, their textures and sounds, yet we do not become entwined with them. We remain partly in and partly out of the scene.

That is a bit like our participation of so much of life.
“At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

We experience some happiness but find lasting joy, that contentment with the fullness of life, so evasive. We work hard, enduring much drudgery and stress, so as to attain a few moments or a day of rest. We play hard when we have a chance but miss the power of quiet moments of celebration that restore us. It has been said that we worship our work, we work at our play, and we play at our worship, delegating the latter to an hour a week.

But be encouraged, there is an answer to our dilemma and faith is the key to opening the door so we can see the other side. We know that faith allows us to see the end of this life and at least a faint image of the next. That time when we will be filled with the glory of God to a degree not fully experienced here in these mortal and temporary bodies. We will not just be spectators, but will participate fully in the wonder of the glory of the Lord. What an eternal day of rejoicing that will be! Now we hurt and grieve but then there will be no more tears, no more sorrow. Now we play with childish games but then we will pick up joy that satisfies completely.

Can you allow this image to guard your heart and mind even now? Yes, we are perhaps on the ‘wrong’ side of the door to experience it fully. But a faith that grows such vision brings great hope for the present moment too. More on this, ‘heaven on earth,’ in tomorrow’s post. For the time being, reward yourself with a quiet moment to contemplate the wonder of being in the presence of God. He wills it and invites you to have such hope.