Overflowing Barrel or Teacup of JOY for the Lord

 

photo zazzle.com

All this week, (It's only Tuesday, I know! But it's been since last week really), I have been talking to my kids about what we have been reading together from THE FAITH EXPLAINED by Leo J. Trese-- Why did God make us?  Why are we here?  Simple question, but lots of room for talk.  Well, I just wanted to explain our latest talk that has been from this week.  We have been talking about how we will experience our JOY in Heaven, and how it depends on how we love God here, on Earth, first.

Yes, if we are lukewarm, we already know from His Word that we cannot attain Heaven.  We cannot merely "think" that "God is cool; Go God!", but 1) not be even baptized 2) Do nothing to grow closer to Him, such as lead a prayer filled life, and think we can have Heaven.  Luke warmness is best described as having one foot in, but purposely keeping one foot out because we cannot live without the world, or the things of the world.  We will respond to the Lord and Heaven as we respond to Him here.  Think about it: Take your relationship with God NOW.  How do you feel about Him NOW? Are you totally on fire for Him? Or are you just kind-of eh about Him?  When we see Him later, after there is no turning back, we will tend to have the same response. 




photo itsadeliverything.com

Think about this for a minute:  How many of you out there LOVE classical, instrumental music?  Are you totally MOVED by it? Or are you kind of waiting for it to end because you aren't "in" to it? If you continue for years to try to appreciate it, perhaps you will find some kind of positive respect for it, and enjoy it more than you first did.  If you continue to change the station as soon as you hear it, with no real care for it, because "it's not for you",  then when you are before the grand Performance, it will not be too enjoyable for you.  This is a very good analogy for how we love God here and now and what will come afterwards. 
We will similarly respond to God when we meet him.  Those of us who truly chose Him throughout our life will have our joy to the full, as He promised. Those who give everything to serve Him will feel a barrelful of joy: they are the ones that classical musical brings tears to their eyes, and some will experience their joy, by a full teacup; they are generally moved by the music.  There is a difference, yes, but we will all have our "cup", no matter the size, full. 

My kids of course, want to have their "cup" be a barrel.  They want to experience God's Presence to the MAX.  I do too!  We must become so in LOVE with Him though.  This is where self-mortification comes into the equation.  Dying to self.  And giving every last item of ourselves and our lives to HIM.  If we hold anything back, perhaps we are choosing a smaller  "cup" for Jesus to fill later.  If we completely empty ourselves out to HIM, and give him a barrel to replace our lives with, we will be receiving that barrel in LOVE in return later.


I really feel like I haven't had a good as this post in a long time.  Thank You, Dear Holy Spirit.  And I pray that the Holy Spirit move these readers to give more of themselves in some way to You, and Your Will.  J.M.J.