Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:1
It’s amazing how much more energy we have now. Yes, we have restored bodies but I also think about the energy we save by not having to worry about impressing others. Prior to God’s return we lived in a broken, backwards world. Every soul spent every day desperately trying to figure out how to be okay in the world. Sometimes it was a battle to just be okay with yourself much less others, God, and creation. It’s not like that anymore. It’s back to the way God intended it in the very beginning, it’s a perfect harmony between each soul and all the rest of God’s good creation.
Oh it’s not boring either. There is plenty to do in God’s bustling kingdom of beauty and love. Every day we have the opportunity to create with God, to reorder this new heavens and earth into an ever more beautiful and life-giving garden to live and love in. I wonder when we will start to cultivate gardens with God in other parts of his amazing universe?
I used to be so wrapped up in trying to impress people. I was so messed up I probably wouldn’t have even admitted that most of the time but it was true. Even my religious activities were often stained with self interest rather than God interest. Oh, how foolish it is to be self interested when God’s plan for me has always been this perfect loving peace. I had nothing to worry about and yet I worried all the time.
We don’t know exactly what the new heavens and earth will be like but it will be a place of perfected love. It will be a place where prayer, serving, and giving are completely genuine and selfless. There will be no need to keep up appearances through any means. Take a few moments and imagine creation fully restored. What will it be like to never have to impress others, doubt God’s love, or feel guilt again?
By Aaron Bjorklund
