Blessed Contrasts

Every life is full of contrasts which add to the richness of life.  Many things we deem negative are in light of the positive we once enjoyed.  For instance, we start life young.  It is only as we grow older and experience the effects of age we look back to aspects of youth with longing.  Sickness reminds us of how it once felt to be healthy and well.  Painful joints and injuries are reminders of a time when we never thought about joints, anti-inflammatory medication, or scar tissue.  The negative feelings we have can be useful triggers to remind us of many things we have taken for granted:  we had been richly blessed by God with youthful vigour and health and didn't even notice.

My grandpa recently told me because of his physical ailments and compounding limitations a few classic words of wisdom:  "Don't get old!"  The beauty of growing older and even creaking joints is not discovered in supplements, therapy, or miracle cures, but in realising the future for followers of Jesus is eternal glory free from the need of any such things.  For us the future is not a return to youth with its folly but glorification and immortality in the presence of God.  We have so much to look forward to, for the things we enjoy so much on earth will fade away because they cannot be compared in light of eternal life with our Saviour.  It is not so much what God removes from our experiences but what we gain.  Since our knowledge is limited by our experience, however, God is gracious to paint a picture we can understand dimly through blessed contrasts.

Revelation 21:1-5 says, "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

If we had never wept in sadness or personally experienced pain, sorrow, and the finality of death, we would not appreciate the future God has prepared for those who trust and love Him.  It seems the more we experience sorrow and pain in this life, the more we have to look forward to.  We know what it is to have new things, and also to know what it feels like to grow old.  Old creaky joints and brittle bones cry out for deliverance, and in His time God will answer gloriously.  God will make all things new and perpetually so in a place where only righteousness dwells.  We who have only known wickedness and corruption will one day have a King dwelling in our midst who is infinitely more than benevolent or kind:  He is loving, just, compassionate, merciful, and altogether good.  The concept of "heavenly upgrade" just doesn't do God's glorious plan justice.