“Life is tough. Heaven is great. I guess we just need to wait it out.”

Unfortunately, we can often get caught in this mode of thinking.

Having said that, it’s true that life is often difficult. And yes, heaven is also going to be amazing. I appreciate that life includes a lot of waiting—including waiting for heaven—but that doesn’t mean we need to “check out” while here on earth. 

In Genesis 1:27 we learn that we are made in God’s image: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” 

With this background in mind, Paul says this in Ephesians 4:24: “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

We have work to do while here on earth. We are image-bearers of the Creator and Redeemer. A part of our calling is to reflect God in the here-and-now. This shares something of his goodness with the world, it blesses others, and it spreads the love of Christ.

In his book Supernatural, Michael Heiser writes: “We are God’s agents to restore Eden in the here and now, looking forward to the day when Jesus brings that plan to a climax.”*

Fear not—it’s not all up to you or me. The sovereign Lord is working by his Spirit. Plus, we are a part of a vast global community—an army of servants and soldiers—who are engaged in this same work. Paul calls it the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Peter calls it a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus calls it his family (Matthew 12:50).

Yes, we are waiting, but we are also working.

“We are God’s agents to restore Eden in the here and now, looking forward to the day when Jesus brings that plan to a climax.”

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Notes:

-*Michael S. Heiser, Supernatural (Bellingham: Lexham: 2015), 33.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.