“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1 Cor 2:9
I want you to imagine the most happy moment of your life. Maybe it was when you got married, when a child was born, or when a special prayer was finally answered. How did you feel? Did you feel joy? Peace? Hope? Love?
Now I want you to imagine feeling those emotions every single day. Imagine that they never grow stale, but rather grow in their depth and purity day after day. Imagine that all pain, sickness, disease, sadness, and despair is replaced by these heavenly emotions.
Next, I want you to imagine taking an eyedropper and squeezing one tiny drop of water into the vast ocean. Think about how many drops are contained within the whole ocean.
Finally I want you to carefully consider the following statement:
The difference between the true nature of Heaven and what the most heavenly state imaginable here on earth is, is greater than the difference between the entire ocean and the one drop of water.
To put it in mathematical terms:
The ratio between Heaven and our greatest conception of Heaven (Heaven/Conception) is greater than the ratio between the ocean and one drop of water (Ocean/Drop).
For those of us who have entrusted our lives to Jesus Christ, this is what we have to look forward to: a hope that transcends the capabilities of the human mind to comprehend. This hope does not eliminate the suffering we experience on earth, but it inspires us to keep moving forward despite our suffering. It inspires us to "finish our race" as Paul frequently puts it.
James tell us that "blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)
Without the trial there can be no perseverance. And without the perseverance, there can be no crown.
Lord Jesus give us the strength and the wisdom necessary to persevere until we are anointed with the crown of life. We cannot do it of our own strength, but with you we know all things are possible.
Amen.
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17
Mental pictures are so amazing and this one is a wonderful reminder and great encouragement. Also had to think of all those forgiven sins in the depths of that ocean never to be seen again. Lord, help us to stop dredging our buried mess and focus on You. One of the many things about our Lord are all those things ahead that we can't even imagine. He is exciting!!!!!
Whenever I see a dropper of anything I will be reminded of this analogy!