Heaven on Earth. There is no palace in the sky flanked by pearly gates. There's really no credence to the physicality of heaven or even hell. That only leaves these states of being. Hell, though I'm not sure I have experienced it's strongest blow, exists in our here and now through injustice. Heaven exists in those moments of almost tangible love that feels like nothing else in this world. It cannot be captured in anything. The closest I have come to either has been overwhelming emotion and unstoppable tears. The joy of "heaven" though is distinctly different. Hellish moments can be easily described as devastating, earth shattering, or excruciating. Hell can be described because we can process pain. Why else would we say "it hurts like hell"? Heaven, though, is other-worldly.
There are moments in life that bring us to the edges of both hell and heaven, yet it always seems as though the heavenly moments are the most significant. Perhaps it's my optimism speaking, but think about it. Which anniversary do we widely celebrate, a birthday or a death date? Those moments where heaven caresses Earth, even for just one day, stick with us.
Growing up in the Christian faith, I learned from a very young age about the relevance of an afterlife. Good people went some place good and bad people to another not-so-good place. Due to the tremendous amount of theological gray area, I'm not apt to say to what degree of that theory I subscribe to. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of belief, I strongly recommend finding some slice of heaven here on Earth. Whether you want to reject religion completely or pursue a relationship with God, I deeply encourage you to seek out convergences of heaven and Earth. Your heaven can be something that points you in the direction of eternal life with a heavenly Father, or it can be a morning sunrise that you'd want to share with the whole world.
Heaven will follow those who seek to make the world a more heavenly place. Be kind and gentle toward one another. Show love and let yourself be torn apart for it.
Heaven is all around us. It is not just some arbitrary thing you become saved for and attempt to climb toward. Whether your vision of heaven on Earth is the Holy Spirit at work or that peace you find sitting around a campfire, boldly chase after it. Create heaven and accept it in the world around you. There is pure, heavenly essence in the welcoming hug of that sweet young girl who sees nothing but the positives in others. There is abounding love suffocating mourning in the hospital room of a dying loved one. It thrashes and rages against the thin, thin membrane of pain trying to stave off its fullness. Angels enrapture the words of a teacher full of life and love to share with her class. Heaven surrounds the communion of old friends and full fellowship. Lean into those moments and remember that tangible heaven when it seems like there is none.
This is dedicated to every one of those people who has shown me divine love in a broken world. For every uncontrollable sob I have wept, hope has been spread through the promise of heaven.
Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:18c-20
