Birthday Party, Cheesecake, Jelly Bean, Boom

On one hand, I'm glad that the world didn't explode under a barrage of flaming meteors today.  On the other hand, what would be so bad about going to Heaven?  I'm sure most people would disagree with me; but why would you not want to die and go to Heaven?  It's clear to me that getting there is the ultimate reward, so why the hesitation? 

It's funny how in earthly pursuits, the faster we get to the reward, the better.  Why should I need to wait for 10 years before I get another week of vacation?  When am I getting that promotion?   I need to upgrade my laptop / car / phone / house / relationship NOW.  So what's the deal with prolonging the journey to the best thing ever?

Maybe it's that whole dying part.  I remember the long nights of teenaged angst; adult days when things couldn't get worse; times when I was just done with life,  Let's say there have been some pretty dark times and leave it at that.  As a Christian, I have to cope with the guilt from having these unappreciative thoughts.  And there is always that underlying fear of getting the "I'll give you something to cry about" whammy. 

It's corny, but I suppose the bottom line is hope.  The hope that things will be redeemed, the hope that the dark times don't last forever, the hope that everything works itself out in the end, that love wins.

It is when all confidence in yourself or in human support, and also in God in an immediate way, is extinct, when every probability is extinct, when it is dark as on a dark night—it is indeed death we are describing—then comes the life-giving Spirit and brings faith. -- Søren Kierkegaard