ThinkBlog

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

The thing about Jesus is, if you need to know, He’ll let you know. Also, He will tell you if something is not so. There’s no overrating the kingdom of God, nor heaven, but many have misconceptions about both. (For instance, when I was a young kid, I believed that we’d really all be sitting on clouds, dressed in robes, walking along streets of gold, playing harps. This brought up a slew of questions: “That’s nice and all, but as fun as it might be to lounge on clouds, sometimes the feel of asphalt is nice for a change. And without underwear, however liberating that might feel, won’t we chafe? And the glinting of God’s glory off the streets might hurt our eyes. And couldn’t we maybe play electric guitars instead of harps?”)

Another thing. If we can’t handle Him, are not equipped to handle His revelation of Himself, it will be dark to us, and obscure. There are things that we won’t ever be able to handle; still others that we can’t know in this life (cf., Isaiah’s despair at having seen the Lord); and there are some things to which Christians do not attain because they are not ready: they are not obedient enough. (John 14:21) Jesus’ manifestation of Himself is partially dependent upon the obedient heart of His servant. If we’re not ready to hear something, we won’t. This is not to say we can earn His love or if we do X good things He’ll give us more peeks at Him—but I’ve lately realized in my own life that if I really love and desire to see Jesus, I need to stop giving lip service to the things I’ve been sweeping under the rug, and really being obedient and humble before Him.

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

The thing about Jesus is, if you need to know, He’ll let you know. Also, He will tell you if something is not so. There’s no overrating the kingdom of God, nor heaven, but many have misconceptions about both. (For instance, when I was a young kid, I believed that we’d really all be sitting on clouds, dressed in robes, walking along streets of gold, playing harps. This brought up a slew of questions: “That’s nice and all, but as fun as it might be to lounge on clouds, sometimes the feel of asphalt is nice for a change. And without underwear, however liberating that might feel, won’t we chafe? And the glinting of God’s glory off the streets might hurt our eyes. And couldn’t we maybe play electric guitars instead of harps?”)

Another thing. If we can’t handle Him, are not equipped to handle His revelation of Himself, it will be dark to us, and obscure. There are things that we won’t ever be able to handle; still others that we can’t know in this life (cf., Isaiah’s despair at having seen the Lord); and there are some things to which Christians do not attain because they are not ready: they are not obedient enough. (John 14:21) Jesus’ manifestation of Himself is partially dependent upon the obedient heart of His servant. If we’re not ready to hear something, we won’t. This is not to say we can earn His love or if we do X good things He’ll give us more peeks at Him—but I’ve lately realized in my own life that if I really love and desire to see Jesus, I need to stop giving lip service to the things I’ve been sweeping under the rug, and really being obedient and humble before Him.