June 25, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

Heaven

"However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him-"
I Corinthians 2:9

How sad it is that we are so enthralled with the things of this world, that we fail to yearn for the wonderful things that God even now is preparing for His children.

There is an old legend of a swan and a crane. A beautiful swan alighted by the banks of the water in which a crane was wading about seeking snails. For a few moments the crane viewed the swan in stupid wonder and then inquired:

"Where do you come from?"

"I come from heaven!" replied the swan.

"And where is heaven?" asked the crane.

"Heaven!" said the swan, "Heaven! have you never heard of heaven?" And the beautiful bird went on to describe the grandeur of the Eternal City. She told of streets of gold, and the gates and walls made of precious stones; of the river of life, pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall be for the healing of the nations. In eloquent terms the swan sought to describe the hosts who live in the other world, but without arousing the slightest interest on the part of the crane.

Finally the crane asked: "Are there any snails there?"

"Snails!" repeated the swan; "no! Of course there are not."

"Then," said the crane, as it continued its search along the

slimy banks of the pool, "you can have your heaven. I want snails!"

Prayer: Ask God to help you not to focus on this world, but on the wonders of the world He is preparing for us.

"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." ~C.S. Lewis