“However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him“ — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV)
Christmas is so close, and I can assure you, there are a few excited boys at the Young home (yes, I am one of them)! Christmas is indeed a magical time.
My wife works very hard to wrap presents and fill the stockings that are hung over our fireplace. Many years ago, after one of her gift wrapping marathons, our youngest boy, Timothy, hugged her and said, “Thanks for wrapping more presents, Mom!” He also thanked her for not putting all the presents under the tree so he would be surprised with the appearance of new presents on Christmas morning! I think we can all relate to this innate desire to be “surprised” with more. In fact, I think this is how God created us — with longings on earth that will never be satisfied until we get to heaven.
I truly believe that even if we received all the presents in the world this Christmas, we would never truly be satisfied. Only God can satisfy our longings. I’m convinced that we long for “more” because were created for more — we were created to be with God forever in heaven. That is why we sometimes feel bummed out — even when (especially when) we get everything we “want”, and yet remain unsatisfied.
In his classic book, Mere Christianity, CS Lewis wrote: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Amen! We were made for a new world! This Christmas, why not remind yourself that this life can only offer temporary happiness and limited satisfaction. God has so much more for us in the future. Heaven awaits us. Only then will we be satisfied!
How about you? Are you looking forward to Heaven? Are you excited about spending time with Jesus and loved ones who are now waiting for you? Do you desire “more”? I know I do. Remember, someday we will be there, and only then will we be fulfilled.
Merry Christmas!
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor