Paul begs the question of us, "What do you hope for in Christ?"

 

Many people in our society today are so preoccupied with life here and now that that is all there is for them.  They never think beyond the transcience of this life on earth.  I say that not to scare anyone, but because Christ promises us so much more.

 

But hear again Paul's words.  "If for this life only we have shaped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."  One of the central promises of Christ is that those who believe in and follow him will have eternal life.  Remember what is says in John 3:16?  "God so loved the world that he sent his only son into the world so that all who believe should not perish, but have eternal life."  And just before he is crucified he comforts his followers by promising that when he dies and goes to heaven he will prepare a place for his followers; and when they die he says, "I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also."

 

God expects us to cherish this life here on earth.  This is God's creation and gift, and god wants us to enjoy the beauty of both the natural world and a loving community.  But God wants us to live in a close and loving relationship with him also.  God wants us to know that the Lord of Life loves us.  God wants us to know that the relationship he gives us in Jesus christ is rich and abundant here and now, but is also eternal.  God wants us to know, as Paul says in Romans 8:38-39, "...neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."