I have been reading a good old series of books many of you will know – Anne of Green Gables. This is actually the first time reading them because as a kid, I could never get past the first one … or more accurately, the first few chapters of the first one. But now I am rather enjoying them and learning too.
Here is an excerpt that I thought was interesting. It’s a perspective on a Scripture we often quote “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven …”. The context of the Scripture is the fact that heavenly things are eternal and earthly things will pass away. But here is another angle on the idea of being heavenly minded:
“I can’t help it,” said Ruby pitifully. “Even if what you say about heaven is true – and you can’t be sure – it may be only that imagination of yours – it won’t be just the same. It can’t be. I want to go on living here. I’m so young, Anne. I haven’t had my life. I’ve fought so hard to live-and it isn’t any use-I have to die-and leave everything I care for.”
Anne sat in a pain that was almost intolerable. She could not tell comforting falsehoods; and all that Ruby said was so horribly true. She was leaving everything she cared for. She had laid up her treasures on earth only; she had lived solely for the little things of life-the things that pass-forgetting the great things that go onward into eternity, bridging the gulf between the two lives and making of death a mere passing from one dwelling to the other-from twilight to unclouded day. God would take care of her there-Anne believed-she would learn-but now it was no wonder her soul clung, in blind helplessness, to the only things she knew and loved.”
So many times I have looked at that verse from the angle of security. Things in heaven will be there forever, where putting all your heart in things temporal will only leave you with nothing in the end. But I really loved her picture of things eternal helping to bridge the gap between the two worlds – heaven is a welcoming place because you’ve invested in it already, you’ve lived bits of it on earth, you’ve put your treasure there, and so you walk into the new world with joy and anticipation.
It’s not one or the other – live in this world or live in the next. It is a beautiful sequence.
Wow..thats good, Megan. Makes me realize that making sacrifices here and now are definitely worth it! I also like your previous post..its something I am really ,really thinking about lately,actually, thanks to Arthur..I was telling him about some things I envision in our future, and he just said’but thats your playing field…how will it impact others, and I am finding that part of my design is to bring beauty and restoration to what is broken..I will be pondering that for a good long while. Also looking forward to your new album on beauty. Blessings, Rosa Miller
Yes Megan, this is very good. I really appreciate the way you described this sequence, it is very encouraging in the way we are to live. It is hopeful instead of discouraging-instead of waning dreams, it is building in anticipation!
Blessings!
Olivia
Megan, I see what you’re saying. I, too, have had this idea that storing things in heaven is only about protecting valuables. The perspective is that I’m putting things away there, to keep them from being rotted or destroyed. But investing in heaven is bringing it here. Thank you for this new insight. The line is less distinct!