For those of us struggling to make sense of disability in our kid’s lives, we rarely think of the opportunities we have because of disability.
Sometimes all I’ve been able to see are the limitations and the sadness. I’d find myself longing for heaven, for the redemption of all sin and sorrow, so much I could hardly find a reason to go on here. And it didn’t matter how many articles I’d read on the joys of disability, they hadn’t kept me from wanting to fast-forward to heaven.
I wrestle with the temptation to look so much for the final restoration that I undermine the present. God values my life tremendously, and so must I.
Colin Smith, an gifted expositor, preached a sermon about the opportunities we have right now in the body, that we won’t have in heaven. We tend to focus on the challenges of life now and look forward to the opportunities of glory, especially for those struggling with disability in their lives. But what about the reverse?
There is a challenge in glory. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tell us: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” This includes believers. So while we know that we will never be condemned if in Christ, our lives will still be laid out and judged. And all that is worthless will be burned up and all that has eternal value will be treasure laid up in heaven.
Not only is there a challenge in glory, but there is also opportunity here on earth that we won’t have in heaven. Listed below are ten things you have the opportunity to glorify God with that you won’t have an opportunity to do in heaven. I can’t help but notice how disability has magnified these opportunities in my life.
Prayer: God is delighted when we come to Him. But prayer is something we will only have now in the body, you will not need to pray in the presence of Jesus.
Believe: Believing when we have not seen and do not understand is faith. In heaven, faith will be sight and you will not have the opportunity to trust things you cannot see.
Courage: The only courage needed will be the courage in this world because there are no dangers in the presence of Jesus.
Resist Sin: All battling with temptation is done now, there is no sin in presence of Jesus. It is a short battle, and an opportunity here and now to bring glory to Him.
Trust God: Trust Him now in what you do not understand; there will be no such situations in the presence of Jesus when all things will be made known.
Shine in Dark Places: Shine now as a light where God has put you in this world. There will be no dark places in the presence of Jesus in heaven.
Bearing Witness: Testifying to the glory of his name is only done here in the body, there are no lost people in heaven.
Give Comfort and Compassion: Now is the time we have the opportunity to extend ourselves for the cause of Christ, showing his love to our neighbors. There will be no hurting ones in heaven or those that need comfort.
Give Sacrificially: The only laboring in which you can extend yourself is what you do in this life. There are no sacrifices in heaven, the saints are resting from their labors. The only place you can push outside of your comfort zone and give sacrificially is here. In heaven you will have all things.
Press on, eagerly and with joy. This is a short journey, one of great value no matter how much has been lost. Bring glory to Him, the one who desires us to be with Him forever. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt 6:20).
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