During the 2009 football season, the University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy began every postgame interview by thanking God for the opportunity to play. When he was injured in one of the first championship games, he was forced to watch his team lose. After the game, he told a television announcer, “Even though it was tough not to play today, I always give God the glory. I never ask why something happened the way it did. God has my life in his hands, and I know that even if everything fails, I stand on the Rock.”
The apostle Paul experienced God’s deliverance many times, but he did not desire everything to happen according to his plans. His life in prison in Rome had ended in defeat. But he saw it differently: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). He looked ahead, to the crown of eternity, and despite all changes, God remains faithful.
Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach on the Sabbath. Many said, “Where did this man get these things? And what has he been doing with his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary…?” They were offended at him. Jesus said: “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown… ”
Two brothers—still, just boys—sat in the front pew of the church every Sunday and watched their father lead the service. One night, he heard one of his sons crying in bed. He asked him what had happened, but the boy refused to answer. But he confessed, “Dad, the Bible says we will worship God forever in heaven. That is an awfully long time!” Because he had imagined heaven as an endless service led by his father, it seemed a very dull place. Of course, we will worship God in heaven. People “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9) will rejoice in the celebration of Jesus, the Lamb, at his banquet. We will rejoice in the glory of the Lord’s presence—forever. But we will not be bored for a single second. Earthly pleasures cannot compare with the joys.
