I hope that yesterday’s reflection has helped you to revisit the promises Christ has made to us. Among the four main promises of Christ, most people may focus on or most long for the promises of “salvation” and “eternal life”, while the promises of “God is with us” and “the Holy Spirit” may receive less attention. Let us reflect more deeply on this.

Everyone has their own understanding and feelings about “eternal life” or “going to heaven.” Of course, no one has a concrete concept of it, but our impressions often revolve around a subjective desire, to eventually enjoy the joy of eternal life. This is likely one of the main reasons many people “believe in God”. Another is the hope of reuniting with loved ones in our heavenly home. However, the meaning of “eternal life” goes far beyond reunion with family or simply avoiding hell. At its core, it is the hope to be forever with God, who created us and loves us to the end.

Sadly, what we often pursue are only the benefits God gives us, not God Himself. Therefore, when it comes to Christ’s promises, we tend to focus on our own benefits rather than seeing from God’s perspective. Our eyes are more often fixed on the gifts we desire to receive, rather than on the Giver who gives them to us. When we centre our attention on what we want, we easily overlook the gift God has prepared for us.

If our view of “heaven” and “hell” is limited to shallow concepts of reward and punishment, eternal happiness and eternal damnation, we miss the greatest gift God has prepared for us, which is God Himself!

This gap in expectations will seriously affect how we live our present life and, in the end, influence our ultimate destiny.

So while we long for “eternal life”,  we must not forget to focus our thoughts and efforts on how to make the most of our earthly pilgrimage and build a relationship with God, who has given Himself to us. The other two main promises of Christ, namely, “God is with us” and “the Holy Spirit” become crucial. These promises not only help us live this life well, but also realign our attitudes and expectations toward eternal life and our relationship with God. Let us begin by exploring the promise that “God is with us.”

Since our ultimate relationship is with God, we must begin building that intimate connection with Him here in this life. We need to learn and practice how to accompany God, fostering a habit of being with Him, and a willingness and desire to be accompanied by Him. This is something we need to adapt to, not only because we cannot see or touch God with our physical senses, but also because we are often reluctant to spend time with God.

Another potential barrier is our unwillingness to let others, even God, enter into our space or challenge our sense of control.

We fear that God’s presence may “disrupt” our plans, and this leads us, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid moments of solitude with Him.

But we must know that God’s intervention is an intervention of grace.

If we insist on taking control and refuse to let God into our comfort zone, the Holy Spirit cannot guide our lives, and we’ll be left navigating with our own flawed internal compass. This opens the door for the enemy to attack.

If we truly believe that God is almighty and deeply concerned with our greatest good, then we should not resist His presence in our lives. Rather, we should allow this loving God to be involved in every aspect of our lives and decisions, big and small.

Let us not leave this poor and patient God waiting forever at the door, unable to share life’s joys and sorrows with us. Remember, when God enters our life, it is like the blessing Jesus gave to the newlyweds at the wedding in Cana!

The promise that “God is with us” is like the presence of heaven on earth. It allows us a foretaste of the infinite sweetness of being united with God in heaven, and stirs in us a deeper longing for eternal life.

Reflection

Does your understanding of heaven and hell remain limited to the concepts of reward and punishment, eternal happiness and eternal punishment? What insight or change has today’s reflection brought to you?

Can you recall a time in your life when you shut God out? Can you sense how God might have felt in those moments?

In prayer, feel God’s presence with you. With an open heart, listen to what He wants to say to you, and how He is inviting you.

Today’s Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You for the opportunity You gave me today, which helped me realize how much my concepts of heaven and hell, and my understanding of eternal life and eternal punishment, still need to be refined. This reflection has made me aware that I was not fully focused on my relationship with You, but on my own benefit!

I feel deeply saddened and sorry for the hurt my selfish mindset has caused You. Abba Father, I am truly sorry!

I ask myself: Isn’t everything I have a gift from You?  Aren’t You far more precious than anything I possess?

I am shocked by my self-centeredness and how it has led me to reject Your presence.

Thank You for showing me again in my prayer today that You desire to be with me forever. I wish my heart would be softened by Your love again, I am willing… and I desire Your presence and Your companionship. May I cherish every moment with You on this earthly journey!

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Writer: Paul Yeung
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