Heaven to Earth

Gosh, what do I write in this blog?

I never knew that writing in this blog consistently would be so hard! Anyways, I've been reading this book by Rob Bell called "Velvet Elvis." It's an easy read and I encourage anyone reading this blog to check it out. You don't have to necessarily agree with what he says or thinks, but it definitely gives you new and fresh perspectives on the Christian faith. 

There are so many things that I would want to talk about in this book but there are just so many. So I just want to write about one specific point he brings up. He quotes...

"For Jesus, the question wasn't, how do I get into heaven? but how do I bring heaven here? The question wasn't, how do I get in there? But how do I bring there, here?" (pg. 147)

Man, if you really think about what he writes, it actually makes sense. "How do I get into heaven?" is such a selfish question to ask. Christians are so consumed with their own individual lives. We try to "escape" this world because it's so evil, rotten, absent of morals, etc etc. We want to escape the "hells" of the world. But I believe that this isn't the story that God wants to write over humankind. It's not about figuring out strategies in getting to heaven, but rather it's a story of God using his people to bring heaven to earth. Believe in the power of the cross. Believe in the grace that is poured into your life redeeming you and setting your life free from eternal death. Believe that you have been saved. But God's heart is hurting from injustice, impoverished children, rape, genocide, etc etc. God is telling a story of redemption and restoration to you and I.
Jesus tells a parable about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, giving water to the thirsty, and welcoming the stranger. 

How will we fight against the "hells" of the earth? How will we bring heaven to earth?