Fast Forward

Often, as we recoup from our Easter festivities...come down from the sugar overload... digest that dinner feast... and contemplate the power of resurrection...life from death... mortal to the immortal... sadness to joy...we usually miss something along the way. Why has God given us the gift of eternal life? What could we possibly do "forever"? The idea is foreign to us mere mortals...as it should be...never ending is hard to grasp isn't it? Now many say the answer is...so that you can have a perfect relationship with God for all eternity...and that's true. In fact, that is the power of Jesus sacrifice on the cross...in that act, everyone now has free access to God...no more barriers in the way. Think of it, God in His great love desired relationship with each of us so much, that He made a way for it to happen...in spite of our sinfulness...selfishness...human-ness. Having paid the price for each person's sin, clears the way of opportunity for relationship to every man, woman & child. Now the issue isn't "being good enough" (for all have fallen short...), the issue is now, who chooses to enter into that relationship by faith (in trust). Some will accept...some, the bible says will choose their own way...and that is sad. So everlasting relationship with God is available to all who desire it...and in that we celebrate! Now what happens next, leaves many puzzled. It seems the best we can conjure up for what happens next is...we will worship God for ever & ever...like the old hymn says, "when we've been there 10,000 years...". What? 10,000 years of singing...you got to be kidding me...that's what we have waiting for us? Now I enjoy a good worship service as much as most...but 10,000 years of singing...one never ending church service in the sky... forever...it sounds like hell to me! Yet, that is what we usually present to people about what God has for us. No wonder so many people think "hell is some kind of wild party" and "heaven is a long boring church service". Have we misrepresented the truth in this...hell is ultimate aloneness...darkness...anguish. And its in heaven where eternal life begins with a party...a huge party...with Jesus himself popping the cork, so to speak! Not just that, but in reality, the bible tells us so much more. Will we worship & sing our thanksgiving to God...ya sure we will, that's part of it I'm sure...but we often think heavenly worship is limited to "how we do it in our churches today"... you know the band playing choruses and we sing along etc... Actually a heart of worship is rejoicing in awe of God in many different ways...it could be in song...it could be in laughter...it could be in dance...it could be in poetry...it could be in silent reverence...it could be in art...it could be fully enjoying what God has prepared for you! The bible says worship is much more than singing...forever! It also says, Jesus has been preparing a place for us since before the beginning of time! Now imagine the best place you've ever been... Maui...Half-Dome... Grand Canyon...Paris...the unspoiled wilds of Africa...the Great Wall of China. Now imagine a place far more grand...far more amazing...far more mind blowing! Don't you think God can create better than we do? And if God is gonna top the natural wonders we already have...then wow, that's gonna be incredible! I think that's why any prophet in the bible who had visions of heaven had such a hard time describing it... it's beyond indescribable! The bible says, at the end of time as we know it, God will create a NEW heaven & a NEW earth. This is what Jesus is speaking of...this is what is being prepared for those that love Him. Talk about a resurrection! A perfect heaven & earth...paradise for real...The Kingdom we were created for! That is what is coming our way! That is what we are being prepared for. That is what God has waiting for us! Will we be singing...oh ya, no doubt...will we be running around amazed & thanking God every step of the way...you bet! That's the heart of worship that will possess us. Not a boring ol' 10,000 year church service. Face it a week in Maui beats "church" hands down! But this ain't "church" as we do it...this is God's people, who are the church, enjoying Him & all He has created for them! Fast forward with me. Think about it...no more sin, no more death, no more tears, no more unfairness, no more disease, no more broken relationships...just you & me with God in a NEW heaven and a NEW earth...and we even get NEW bodies, the bible says. Beaches beyond your wildest imagination. Majestic mountains that will take your breath away. Plants & animals that will cause you to wonder, with amazing curiosity, as you explore them for eternity. Rivers...valleys...deserts... plains...far more beautiful than you could ever dream up...and its all yours...forever! Wow, I don't know about you, but that's something to get excited about...and that's something I want to tell others about too! Most haven't heard this part of the story...the best part...the "what God has been preparing for you" part! At ECHO, we look forward to what God has been preparing and hope to share this "good news", this "opportunity" with as many people as possible! The journey is exciting but the destination is out of this world...literally!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO