We have struggles and the world seems broken so how do we live with hope? We hear about Heaven as this great place with no pain or sorrow. What if we could experience some of up there, down here? Is that possible? Can heaven and earth overlap?
Our goal isn't just to say a "magic prayer" and punch a free ticket to heaven. The goal isn't a religious prayer, tradition, or ritual. The goal is a relationship. The reason heaven is a great place is because God's presence is fully there; it's all about Him. His light, life, love, justice, righteousness and goodness makes it perfect. So the more we open our lives to God and His presence, we have the opportunity to experience hope and light even in the middle of the struggle. It brings up there, down here because it's about the relationship with Him. Check out the video below for more on this topic.
Jesus calls us to make Him the center of every aspect of our lives like how yeast works it's way through the whole batch of dough bring it to life. He even said that this what the kingdom of heaven is like; it's how we can experience some of up there, down here. He also called us to bring hope and light to others (Matthew 5:14-16). I fully believe that when we extend God's grace, hope and light to others, we will also be filled with hope and light. It's like an overflow of hope and light out of our life. It's kind of like this native american proverb from the movie Tomorrowland...
There are two wolves always fighting. One is the wolf of darkness and dispair. The other is the wolf of hope and light. The question is which wolf will win?... The one you feed. Feed your life with the hope and light found in Jesus. Bring up there, down here.