“God hasn’t destined us for wrath, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him… Encourage each another and build each other up.” (1Thess. 5:9-11)
Lord Jesus, one of the best-known lines in contemporary history was spoken by Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: “It is your destiny.” But, hallelujah, only you can speak those words to us, Jesus, and you have done so once and for all. Our destiny is the grace-won, whole-person-healing, cosmos-transforming fullness of the salvation you freely give us. Boom! And Thank you, Jesus.
There’s still a lot of stuff we don’t understand, and even more over which we have zero control; but we can be 100% certain of where our lives and history are heading. Our forever destiny and destination are to live with you in the quintessentially beautiful, all-things-new, perfect world of the new heaven and new earth! (Rev.21:1-22:6). This isn’t “pie in the sky,” it will be the fullness of grace on earth. “Your Kingdom will finally and fully come; and your will will be perfectly done on earth, as in heaven.” That isn’t just a prayer we pray, but a promise you made and will fulfill.
Sooner than we can imagine, we’ll realize your death on the cross truly was our Judgment Day, and all that is in front of us is your eternal welcome and the fullness of your delight. We will see you as you are, Jesus, and we will be made like you. It will be impossible for us to ever sin or love poorly again. We’ll never hurt or hurt others. Everything sad will come untrue. Your glory, Jesus, will cover the earth, just like your righteousness covers us now. Until that glorious Day, Jesus, make us grace-fueled encouragers and tireless “builder-upper’s” of each other. So Very Amen.
