Taste of Eternity
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading
“For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.”—Hebrews 13:14 TLB
Did you know that it wasn’t God’s desire for humankind to taste death? We were supposed to live with Him forever in perfect harmony.
Unfortunately, our First Parents (Adam and Eve) sinned and were banished from the Garden of Eden, which was a place beyond our wildest dreams. Their choice separated them from God. They no longer had direct access to Him and were not able to continue seeing Him face-to-face.
However, God did not abandon Adam and Eve. He kept prayer as an open line of communication and sent His angels to protect them from the evil one. He also gave them His grace and mercy and implemented the plan He had put in place for when humankind sinned. Many centuries after Adam and Eve died, God sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to make a way for us to be reconciled with God through the plan of salvation (John 3:16). Because of this plan, we have the hope and promise of enjoying eternity with our Lord and Savior when He returns to take us home to Heaven. But until then, we exist on this Earth that is suffering from all the effects of sin. The Bible says that God has things beyond our greatest imagination prepared for us in Heaven (1 Corinthians 2:9), and one day we will receive it all when we are reunited with Him! But until then, do you find yourself having a longing for eternity?
The writer C.S. Lewis said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Lately, I’ve experienced this unsatiable craving for eternity spent in the presence of God. I’m eager to be in His Presence, meet His angels—especially the ones that were assigned to keep me safe—be reunited with loved ones who passed away, and be free from all the pain and suffering of life as we know it. The good news is that Jesus is coming again, so one day this will be possible for all who follow Him. But meanwhile, we are on a journey.
Have you ever traveled somewhere for something you wanted so badly that you didn’t care how much time it took to get it? I remember when my physical therapist told me that she wants to drive two hours from Maryland to Delaware so that she can enjoy her favorite French fries. She lamented that she was craving those fries from a popular place on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk but didn’t have time to make the trip. She told me that it is worth the drive.
I told her that whenever I travel to a far-away destination, I don’t eat certain foods. This is because I hear how delicious they taste and I don’t want to crave them when I return home, because I may never visit that place again. It would feel unbearable to want what I cannot have when it’s not available locally. My way of solving that potential problem is by not even tasting that food, no matter how mouthwatering delicious it might be. It would be hurtful to crave what I cannot satisfy without spending gas money or airfare.
Lately, I have been thinking that our spiritual experience as believers in God is similar. When we are born again and follow Jesus earnestly, we get a taste of eternity, and we have a craving for the pure perfection of Heaven. We want to receive the promise of an immortal body and being reconciled with God in real time. We long for all that God has in store for us and the good news is that eventually that craving will be satisfied when we go home with Jesus. But until then, we need to live for Him and focus on the fact that one day He will fulfill this currently insatiable desire to completely experience His Kingdom.
Just like my PT was willing to make the long drive out of state to eat her favorite fries, our God sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) on the long journey from Heaven to Earth and guided Him through His life. His plan of salvation was completed so that we could be reunited with Him and restored to life before sin. Eventually, our taste for eternity will be fully satisfied.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever had a craving that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can satisfy? How does it feel to know that God can and will fulfill your deepest longings?
Further Reading:
John 5:24
John 17:3
Romans 6:23
1 Timothy 6:12
1 John 2:25
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/olga_d
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