Foretastes of Glory....

"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from

Himself, because it is not there.

There is no such thing."

{C . S . L E W I S}

The temptation of my soul is to think that my happiness and joy comes from things outside of Christ. Of course there are simple things that bring the heart happiness but Jesus is the source. It is His grace, love and sheer mercy that allows us to enjoy the blessings of this temporary life. But it is just a vapor, just a taste, just a glimpse into the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. 

Oh that my soul and heart (and yours too) would fully take this in, believe it and walk in it. How it would change the was we live and think. So many times I think, "If I just had.... (fill in the blank) I would be happy or satisfied." But the greatest joy is not any one thing here on earth. It is not a romance. It is not a proposal. It is not a wedding. It is not becoming one flesh as husband and wife. It is not a home, a car, a job, a ministry, clothes, possessions or social status. The greatest joy is not bearing and raising children. 

The greatest joy is JESUS CHRIST.

Everything and all the joys here are just a foretaste to the glories of Heaven. Everything in this earth will fail us and pass away- Jesus is the only that will remain forevermore.

A husband or wife- no matter how godly will fail and disappoint us. 

A marriage- no matter how beautiful and Christ-centered will have its trials and difficulties.

Sex- is not the highest joy or pleasure. Yes, in the context between a married man and woman it is a blessing and beautiful thing. But it is not everything.

Children- will grow up and leave home. Some parents will have the heartbreak of having a prodigal son or daughter- rebelling and walking away from everything that they spent years teaching them. 

A job, home, car, possessions, social status- They will all pass away. Someone will always have something bigger and better than you. Someone will always make more money than you. Don't set your heart on it.

Ministry- It is not the end all. Pastoring a church, writing books, speaking to the masses, traveling the world is not everything. 

Everything in this life will just leave us unsatisfied and wanting more. Jesus satisfies us in the depths of our souls- yet leaves us thirsty for more and more of Him.... the Well that does not run dry.

This is why we were created. We were made to worship Him- the only thing that won't fail and disappoint us. The only thing that will satisfy us.

Yes, God loves to bless us and give us gifts just like a good father gives gifts to his children. Yet, we must look at the bigger picture- beyond marriage, family, our dreams, our hopes and goals.

We were made for so much more.

 We were made for Him and Him alone. 

Everything else in this life is just a foretaste of glory.

"God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of Him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to Heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives or children, or the company of any or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops but God is the ocean."

{J O N A T H A N   E D W A R D S}