May 15

The Worst Part Is Over

 

 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  ––Revelation 21:2-4

 

There are two beautiful sides to the salvation coin: On the much more familiar “heads” side, there is the fact that through our faith in Christ, we acquire eternal life. If that weren’t wonderful enough, the “tails” side of the coin—which is much less talked about—is also wonderful news: from a spiritual perspective, you were once dead, but now you are alive. You have already died with Christ, and the physical death you will face is simply your transition to an afterlife more amazing that can be described.

The worst part is over.

Since death no longer has a hold on us, all we have is life. This life, buoyed by the fact that the “end” really isn’t the end, and the next life with God in heaven.

Man of God, take a moment to spiritually reverse engineer your life: Imagine you are already there—with God where there is no more death or sorrow. It changes things, doesn’t it? To know that He will wipe away every tear we have cried in this life due to sadness and sorrow, and that there will be no more death, thus no more mourning for our lost loved ones.

This viewpoint of eternity does not negate present circumstances, nor am I suggesting that we now live in some realm of denial. As long as we take breath into our lungs, this groaning earth will remind us of its fallen state. Rather, think of this life as the previews to the main attraction: We are not yet there, but we will never go back to being spiritually dead.

I don’t know about you, but on some of my worse days, I long to be there now—in heaven with God. And then I remember why I am here: to share His love with those who do not yet know that there is so much more. When you are discouraged, take a moment to read today’s verse—a future glimpse of the beauty and security of our eternal home. And remember what Jesus said, as He was preparing for His death, and what He said to His disciples. Pray this passage, imagining that the “you” Jesus is speaking to is you:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  ––John 14:1-3, NKJV

Indeed, the worst is over. And there’s so much brilliance ahead!

Father, thank You that You pulled me from the jaws of death and have placed me along the spiritually alive in Christ. Help me keep this eternal perspective as I go about my day.