The after party

Rose In this life there are many things to enjoy, however on the other hand we can also see many things that are not good and cause sadness and sometimes even despair. When we look at this world we see both beauty and brokenness. We have beautiful beaches and seas, but also devastating tsunami's, and think of the lovely rose with painful thorns. In moments of joy or when experiencing beauty in whatever kind of form, it's easy to don't think any further. But when faced with negative events or brokenness, several questions begin to rise up. Like why are these things happening? Is there a point to it, is there even a point to life? And can and will things ever change?

Reflection Well the Bible confirms that the world in which we are living now, is cursed with brokenness, and the same goes for all of mankind. Though the world was created by God in a perfect state, it's now in every area infected because of the sin of mankind. Sin is in fact being rebellious to God, unwillingness to trust and obey him (read more at 'going deep'). Needless to say that this was a big mistake, because everything that's wrong, broken or evil finds it's source in here. That there are still things to enjoy and there is still beauty is by the mercy of God.

This is not what God intended, and luckily for us, he did not just stood by, but he came with a plan to rescue us once and for all. He promised that he will create a new earth and heaven, where it will be impossible for evil, death and misery to ever occur. Therefore we now have the choice, in our current lives, to decide if we want to trust in God and in his Son Jesus for our salvation or not. And that we are willing to follow him. God's kingdom will be part of this new heaven and earth, it's everlasting with a quality of life that we cannot imagine. It will be better than our best moments in this current life! God uses the image of a royal wedding party to try to communicate this to us, and it will never stop, no hangovers here! But it will only come after this life. In that sense this current life on earth is like a party, but what God has in store for us, will be like the ultimate after party, where the real life begins. God knows that even if we want to obey and live with him, we will be falling short. That's why he took matters into his own hands. Through Jesus he made it possible for us to be with him when his kingdom will come. The only thing that he asks from us is our full trust, which is like the foundation of a relationship.

God is not looking for religion, for people who like to stick to a bunch of rules, no he is looking for relationships. He created us to live with him in a perfect and harmonious union or relation, a relation that we ourselves are also willing to have and maintain. You can only speak of a true relationship if both parties personally decided to go for it. God wants the same, he loves us with a pure and unconditional love, he likes to see that answered with our own love. This is true for each person, God does not discriminate in any way, but it's up to every person how he or she responds. Check you're invited to find out how to get your free 'ticket' to God's AFTER party.

Check the 'going deep' section for more details on specific subjects (like: the free will, the new heaven and earth, God's kingdom etc.).