Eternal

Our mission on Earth is to get to Heaven and to bring as many people as we can with us. 

The tough thing about reaching Heaven is that it’s a distant goal, taking a lifetime to accomplish. In a world set on instant gratification, denying certain pleasures or desires now in hopes of eternal happiness later is a difficult task. 

Another thing that further impedes our quest for Heaven is the fact that we really don’t know what to expect. Heaven is often depicted as a bunch of people wearing white robes singing on clouds, maybe even some skilled harp players in the mix. 

For many of us, that image of Heaven doesn’t really sound all that appealing. 

But, while we don’t know exactly what it’ll be like, many Saints and spiritual masters help us to clarify our view of Heaven.

Imagine the most beautiful day ever, in your favorite place, with great friends and family. The day is filled with joy, love, and peace. It’s every great experience from your life rolled into one. Take that and multiply it infinitely, and it still doesn’t come close to the reality of Heaven. 

Heaven is infinite joy. But, even in our imaginations, we can’t comprehend joy that never ends. We know deep down that the sun will set on our ‘perfect’ day. 

In Heaven, not only will we experience the fullness of never-ending joy, but we ourselves will be perfected. In the same way that the world around us will reach its fullness, so will we. And, even though we can’t fully comprehend what that means, we can prayerfully meditate on these ideas and use them to motivate us. 

So, how can we bring all of this back down to earth? Today (and every day), take note of the moments of joy in our lives. Enjoy them. Remember that these moments will end. But, also remember that we were created for eternal happiness. The here and now, the present opportunity or decision, can bring us closer to that destination.