HEAVEN IS NOT OVER THE RAINBOW

Many of us grew up with Judy Garland's hopeful ballad from the Wizard of Oz, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Dorothy, on the run in the not-so-merry old Land of Oz and on the run from the Wicked Witch of the West, comforts her uncomfortable present with a vision of a better time and a better place -- somewhere over the rainbow.

People, in the midst of trials or in the final stages of a deadly disease, sing of a better place, where there are no more tears, no more sickness, no more pain. For many of us that is God's promise of heaven and eternal life. We are thankful that our present circumstances will not have the last word, nor that they define us.

This is not to equate heaven with "somewhere over the rainbow." Heaven is a real place prepared for God's people. It is an eternal dwelling. "Over the rainbow is another temporary earthly dwelling, better than one address; but still earthbound and time limited.

CS Lewis once said that "because people are heavenly minded, they are more earthly good." For Christians who are confident in their final destination can take the risk and embrace even the hardships of the present with purpose and power. They have nothing to lose on this earth that they would need in heaven. Therefore they can invest all they have now in doing the work of God.

And in so doing, they can bring a little heaven to earth. They can look after AIDS babies, and feed the poor. They can rehabilitate the prison and sacrifice their lives for freedom. They can seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness. They can be thankful for the small things instead of pursuing material ones. They can humble themselves to serve and confront the proud.

True thanksgiving is thanksliving. It is living now in gratitude to God for the gift of eternal life by doing the work of God in this life.

PHOTO CREDIT:Michelle Houts