It's A Great Life...If You Can Stand It | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: It's A Great Life...If You Can Stand It | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Gault Baker
07/21/11
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IT’S A GREAT LIFE. . .IF YOU CAN STAND IT.”

According to Webster, the definition of Paradise is “Heaven; or a place or state of bliss.” The Bible gives us a wonderfully vivid description of Heaven. In Revelation, it tells us that Heaven is God’s home and where God is there is certainly to be great joy or “bliss.” Heaven will be a beautiful place. In Revelation, Chapter 21, John describes Heaven as having the Glory of God and shining like a precious, jasper jewel as clear as crystal. Every race and nation will be represented in Heaven and only the righteous will be allowed to enter. Revelation not only tells of what will be in Heaven but also tells us what will be missing in Heaven. Sickness and pain will not be present in Heaven. There will be no sorrow, crying or mourning. Violence or wars will not exist in Heaven. Heaven will not have any hunger, thirst or death. These are wonderful things that give but a brief description of Heaven and what life might be like in Paradise. Because this life on Earth is all we know, it is difficult for the human mind to grasp what Heaven might be like. First Corinthians says that no eye has seen nor ear has heard of the things that God has prepared for those who love him. Paul is telling Christians that no matter how hard we try, our imagination is limited and can only visualize a fraction of the splendor of Heaven, but that we should keep dreaming of Heaven.

However, life on this side of Paradise is somewhat different. Life on this side of Paradise is full of heartbreak, insecurity, guilt, grief, sorrow, greed and despair. While every race, nation and tongue are represented on this side of Paradise as well, not all are righteous. Some of these people are mean, deceitful, selfish, controlling, and down-right evil. There are people who mistreat, abuse and belittle one another instead of loving one another as Jesus commanded. As difficult as it may be to cope with the aforementioned people, the weak, helpless, homeless and innocent are also a part of society on this side of Paradise. These people have needs that are not always met in life on this side. Some people on this side of Paradise are desperately searching for the missing pieces in their lives and that search becomes so overwhelming that the only answer for them is to take their own lives.

God wants his people living on this side of Paradise to live life and live it abundantly. If Christians surrender their lives to Christ and obey Him, life will not be a bed of roses, but it will be joyful and abundant. Christians living and working among the non-believer can sometimes be difficult or even beyond difficult

This side of Paradise is a great life. . .if you can stand it. Fortunately, God’s promise of Heaven to those who give Christ their lives now, gives them hope to endure life on this side of Paradise.

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