Thinking About The Future

I was a little disappointed the other night by a response a politician gave to a guestion on a CNN show segment on faith and politics.

Interviewer Paula Zahn asked New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a Democratic candidate for president, if he thought much about Heaven. Without any hesitation, he replied "Not really." He went on quickly to imply that he was so busy with day-to-day decisions about solving the problems of the here and now that he just didn't devote a lot of time to considering the celestial.

I think I understand what he was trying to do in that brief exchange. He wanted to communicate that he was vitally engaged in meeting the pressing, urgent needs of his constituents now and could reflect on the "sweet by and by" later. He didn't want to come across as too mystical, as someone with his head in the clouds. He wanted to project an image of pragmatism, of hands-on leadership, of practical service to relieve human suffering and deal with crucial current issues.

Granted, there are some who are "so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good". Preachers and laypeople alike can spend so much time meditating on and discussing the awesome afterlife ahead that they fail to do much to make this world any better. Let's not forget that we still have the creation mandate of Genesis 1:26-28 as our assignment. We also have the Kingdom mission of Matthew 28:19-20 to carry out. There's a good bit to keep us occupied and grounded in the present.

Nevertheless, to not devote any time or attention to our eternal destiny seems strange to me. We're only here a few brief years actually. We'll be there forever. How can we not be curious and fascinated about our future home? How can we keep from occasionally daydreaming about it and asking questions about it and probing the scriptures for details about it? If you're moving from one house to another, or from one city or state to another, or are preparing to travel on vacation or business to some different locale, don't you want to learn as much as possible about it in advance? You're telling me that you don't ponder all that much the place where you're gonna reside for age after age after age? You're telling me that you're a Christian and you love Jesus and yet you give but scant thought to what it's like where He is, and where you'll be with Him for eons to come?

I recall our Lord saying in Matthew 6:19-21 that it's crucial to put a lot of focus on your future home. Paul, too, advises believers in Colossians 3:1-4 to give careful consideration and planning to the above and beyond. In Philippians 3:18-21 he even suggests that since we are already citizens of the heavenly realm, and just "passing through" here, it's actually dangerous to get too attached to stuff in this world.

I'm not picking on Bill Richardson. I sorta like the guy. He expresses himself well and has some good ideas. He's like a lot of politicians, though, of both parties, who talk a lot about the future and how they want to make it better and lead us into it. What I'm saying is that evidently their view of the future doesn't go far enough or deep enough. To be earth-bound and not in touch with the spiritual dimension is to stop short. To try and envision and create a model future while leaving God and eternity on the sidelines is an exercise in futility. Just ask the tower builders in Genesis 11.

Paula's question wasn't a stupid or softball one, Bill. While thinking about immigration reform and taxes and Iraq and climate change, you might want to go back and reconsider her inquiry on this faith issue. And I promise you, Governor, that if you'll get a copy of Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven(Tyndale House Publishers, 2004) and read it, you'll not just think about our coming destiny, you'll yearn for it.

It's my conviction that a Christian who has a real passion for the incredible, exhilirating life to come with its opportunities for never-ending growth, learning, travel, challenging work, creativity, worship, and fellowship possesses an expanded vision for a fuller life and more effective service now. There's something about that passion for eternity(Ecclesiastes 3:11) that excavates more depth in the soul, which leads to a life in the present of richer, stronger character, which in turn results in more selfless and creative problem-solving in the culture around us.