MY RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS IN HEAVEN
“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.’”
Luke 16:25 (NASB)
Have you ever worked at a job that was awful, but tolerable because the people you worked with were awesome? Conversely, have you worked at a job that was fine, but soon became insufferable because the people you worked with were awful?
Relationships are fundamental to the world God created (Genesis 2:18) and are both the most edifying and the most destructive part of life. They give life its highest highs and lowest lows. They can heal the deepest hurts or inflict the deepest scars. When people are on their deathbed, they don’t celebrate or regret their things, but their relationships.
In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 16:19-31, Lazarus suffered in this life. This wasn’t merely the poverty and sickness that led to his death, but a severe lack of compassionate relationships. He sat at the rich man’s gate and received no aid from anyone. The love of those around him was lacking.
On earth, this pendulum of relationships swings wildly in two directions, but in Heaven, it will only swing one way. In Heaven, our love will be whole, because it won’t stem from our selfish desire but from our union with God. In Heaven, our relationships with others will be whole. They will never be draining, disappointing, hurtful or destructive. They will be whole, clean, always edifying, always rewarding. In Revelation 21:4, God says, “…He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Most of the mourning, crying and pain in this life are caused by others or by us. One day, God will fix all of it, including how we treat each other.
APPLICATION: Celebrate the relationships that bring joy and hope to your life. Mourn those who have left you feeling disappointed or hurt. Thank God that He’ll provide a future world where everyone, including you, will only be capable of good. Long for that day and ask God to bring that part of heaven to earth today.
PRAYER: God, thank You for how You’ve made relationships. Help me to love the people I encounter, regardless of how they treat me. I give all my hopes and disappointments to You, knowing You’ll make it all right one day. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?