Perspective

People have various responses when they hear that Ed has aggressive brain cancer. Of course, those closest to us mourn and grieve. Many have prayed for us, some even fasted, which blessed us immensely.

Often we are pitied. This is completely expected and understandable. Forty is considered young to be faced with a terminal illness. Our friends wish we didn't have to face cancer. Some have walked their own journey with cancer and know the heartache and suffering it brings.

But occasionally we meet an entirely different response - completely shocking because of its sheer opposite view.

Soon after Ed's cancer diagnosis, he met a business friend. After discussing the dim prognosis of glioblastoma, this friend, a committed Christian said, "Ed, I envy you. You may be near heaven."

I am not recommending that you tell every terminally ill person you know that you envy them. Especially if you don't mean it. But those words blessed Ed. Instead of pitying Ed, of mourning the years on earth he may lose, this friend had a Biblical view of eternity.

This earth is all we know and have experienced. This is where we have been born; this is where we fall in love; this is where we dream; this is where we make plans for the future. It is normal to live, love, dream, and plan. It is normal to seek happiness here.

But in looking at Scripture we find that there is far more to life than just what we can see.

The truth is that we are all diagnosed with a terminal illness and will all face death sometime.

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27)

The truth is that God is preparing a far better place for His children than earth. Imagine, the perfection of the Garden of Eden without the possibility of Paradise Lost.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) 

Some of you have shared your stories of heartache with me. I have no answers for the mental illness, abandonment, handicapped children, church problems, broken relationships, and more.

But the truth is that the worst pain we face now will dim in comparison to heaven.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

The truth is, for the believer in Jesus Christ, the best is yet to come. 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelations 21:4)

The truth is that death is hard for those left on earth but not for the Christian who goes to be with Christ.

 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain... For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." (Philippians 1:21,23-24)

While we pray for healing and try to use each opportunity on earth for God's glory, I don't want to waste time pitying Ed or any other person who gets to reach heaven.

Because I know with certainty, that no one, not a single person, has ever sat in heaven wishing they had a few more years on earth.