Relationship Is Everything

I've always been more task-oriented than people-oriented. In fact, people have often gotten in the way of me completing the task at hand. In spite of being married nearly 25 years, the truth is I've never been very good at relationships. Until last weekend I had not seen my brother and sister and their families in seven years.

God is all about relationships. When everything is said and done the only thing that really lasts is relationships. Heaven will be about relationship--face to face with God.

The Apostle John, exiled on the isle of Patmos was separated by the sea from everything and everyone he held dear. In the final chapters of the Book of Revelation he sees heaven as relationship restored, separation annihilated:

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will their God and they will be my sons and daughters."
(Revelation 21:1-7)

It's not about doing more, trying harder, working longer and being more obedient. It's about learning to relate to the living God and people whom He created and loves.

Jesus said, "And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent." (John 17:3) Heaven is not reserved for the hereafter, it can begin in the here and now. Relationship is everything.