Will “Mittens” Be in Heaven – Part 1

Our 10-year-old granddaughter, Della Rose, became a forceful advocate for a stray cat that she eventually named “Mittens.”  But, for some unknown reason, soon after Mittens snuggled and purred her way into the family, they found her dead.  As you can imagine, Della Rose was devastated and began to question her mom and dad, and even her grandpa, about where Mittens went after her death.  But her lead-in question to me was more general:

Della Rose and doggy pets, Riley and Ruby.

“Grandpa, do you think there will be animals in Heaven?  

When I heard her question, I thought to myself: “How can I comfort a sweet granddaughter while her little brown eyes search my face with childlike faith and wait for an answer to her big question?  Sure, Della Rose believes her Bible which promises that her faith in Jesus as her Savior from sin makes her a child of God (John 1: 12; 3: 16; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-10).  For every Christ-follower, Eternal Life begins at their moment of decision (Luke 23: 43) where they also receive the assurance of a home in Heaven.   Babies and young children, developmentally disabled children who remain childlike, and the unborn who die of “natural causes” or tragically by abortion will also enjoy Eternal Life in God’s presence (Deuteronomy 1: 39; 2 Samuel 12: 18-23; Isaiah 7: 14-16)

Della Roses's kitty named Lily still lives in Wooster.

Whether I can answer her questions or not, I am thankful that Della Rose is falling in love with Jesus and is prepared to go to Heaven one day.  However, on that day of her distress, I soon realized the real purpose of Della Rose’s big question.  She really wanted an assurance that she would see her Mittens again.  Trying to be too logical, my mind remained fixed on her more general question, "Will there be animals in Heaven?”   

My answer was “Yes, I am sure animals will be in Heaven.”
But then, I quickly dashed Della Rose’s hopes by adding,   
“Della, I don’t know if you will see Mittens in Heaven.”
Sadly, she replied, “But Grandpa, I want to see Mittens again.”

Learning More about Heaven
Realizing my inability to comfort her and give hope on that day, I decided to do more study on the subject.  Fortunately, the Bible has much to say about animals.  Randy Alcorn, in his excellent book, Heaven (Tyndale, 2004), states that the Bible portrays animals as Earth’s second most important inhabitants.  God entrusted animals to us, and our relationships with animals are a significant part of our lives (p. 373).  Why wouldn’t animal life also be a part of Heaven?

Before we discuss the future God may have in store for animals, we ought to lay some groundwork to establish God’s plan for humans who will receive the reward of life forever in Heaven.  Two questions are important to consider:  Where will Heaven be?  And, what will the nature of the lives and bodies of God’s redeemed people in Heaven?

The subject of Heaven is vast and is well supported throughout the Bible.  Alcorn’s treatise on Heaven is regarded as one of the best single sources on the subject and I highly recommend the book.  Yet many preachers and teachers seem to shy away from addressing the details of this eternal hope of Christ-followers.  Consequently, many believers lack the knowledge and enthusiasm exuded by men like the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12: 1-4) and the Apostle John (Revelation 21, 22).  Paul said, I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).

Alcorn attributes our lack of anticipation of Heaven’s glory to both the lack of clear teaching on Heaven, and to the blindness promoted by “the father of lies” (John 8: 44), Satan himself.   Alcorn quotes Revelation 13: 6 which states that the satanic beast opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.  Here, Alcorn rightly points out that Satan slandered “God’s person, God’s people, and God’s place—namely, Heaven.”

Heaven on the Resurrected Earth
I appreciate that Randy Alcorn’s teaching about Heaven is based on his careful interpretation of Scripture.  After all, “now we know in part” and will not know fully until “the perfect comes and the partial is done away (1 Corinthians 13: 9-10).”  Therefore, I am comfortable with Alcorn’s interpretation of Scripture that locates Heaven on what he calls the “resurrected Earth.”  This view is very consistent with what Jesus taught about Heaven when He prayed, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6: 10).  Early Christians anticipated the imminence of a New Heaven and a New Earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3: 13).  This claim is reinforced in Old Testament passages like Isaiah 65: 17-19:

For behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I create;
for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and take delight in My people.
The sounds of weeping and crying
will no longer be heard in her.

Notice that Isaiah’s prophecy affirms that God will one day come and “rejoice in Jerusalem.” According to Revelation 21:22, God’s beloved “city of peace,” will have no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  

In his book, Heaven is Place on Earth (Zondervan, 2004), Michael Wittmer states, “The story of Scripture is the story of ‘Emmanuel’, for it describes how God progressively comes to live with us on our planet, at each appearance staying longer and in more permanent form (p. 205).”   Scripture suggests that God is looking forward to the time when His coming to Earth will not be a visit for a few hours like He spent with Abraham (Genesis 18), or for only thirty-three years as He did through the incarnate life of Jesus Christ (Luke 3: 23), or even for 1,000 years of the Millennium (Revelation 20: 4).  He will come to abide forever—then, Emmanuel will literally be “God with us.”

I hope my brief summary of what at least some theologians believe about Heaven will motivate you to read more on the subject and search the Scriptures for confirmation of your belief.  Before considering what God may have in store for the very prominent and valuable part of His creation, namely animal life, we ought to consider what the Bible promises for human life in heaven.

Resurrected Bodies on the New Earth
As I have written in an article entitled, “Recognizing Loved Ones in Heaven,” God’s special revelation in Scripture affirms and complements His natural revelation in creation to teach that resurrected Christ-followers will have new bodies and personality (1 Corinthians 15).  Consider that the resurrected Christ is a “first fruit” or promise of things to follow.  We understand that we will have at least some of His capabilities in our resurrected bodies.  This means we will engage in meaningful worship, work, fellowship, and enjoyment of meals together, even as the resurrected Christ enjoyed with His disciples (John 21). 

It seems logical from Scripture that humans who are created as relational beings in the image of God would enjoy an eternity in intimate relationship with our Creator, with one another, and with God’s creation—including animal life.  Heaven will represent a complete restoration of what was so tragically lost in the Fall of humankind in the Garden of Eden.

With reference to these and many other Scriptures, Alcorn’s vision of Heaven is reflected in a Gospel Coalition interview in which he states (emphasis mine):  What God made us to desire is exactly what he promises to those who follow Jesus Christ: a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected earth. Our desires correspond precisely to God’s plans.

Grief Gives Way to the Joy of Heaven
I can understand why both children and adults grieve at the loss of loved ones including their beloved pets.  When a death occurs, an intimate relationship is broken and we feel as if we have lost a part of ourselves.  But for Christ-followers who anticipate a blessed reunion with family members in Heaven, God’s Word offers comfort and assurance that what we hope for will become reality.  As Alcorn believes (emphasis mine), It’s not that we want something, so we engage in wishful thinking.  It’s the opposite—we want real human lives as real embodied people because God has wired us that way, and has always planned for it.

The Bible offers much assurance to Christ-followers of our hope of Eternal Life in Heaven.  But, for a little girl who has lost her kitty, the assurances about human life in Heaven may bring little comfort.  Della Rose’s plea sums up this point: “But Grandpa, I want to see Mittens again.”  

Will there be animals in Heaven?  More specifically, will Della Rose see her beloved Mittens there?  Please stay tuned for Part 2 of “Will We See “Mittens” in Heaven.”

How About You?
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus came into our fallen world to rescue sinners, people whom God’s Spirit has convicted of their sin, or rebellion against God’s authority in their lives.  When a sinner is convicted of his or her sin, repents, and asks Christ to become Lord of their lives, they are assured of Eternal Life in Heaven.   For more specific information on Heaven and the Resurrection of those who have surrendered to Christ, refer to the article entitled, “Recognizing Loved Ones in Heaven.”

Recognizing Loved Ones in Heaven

I decided to let you in on a long letter to my pastor in response to his recent sermon on the resurrection.  I want to be sure he agrees with my application of God’s natural revelation in creation and His special revelation in the Bible.  If not, I hope he will graciously provide correction.

Thank you, Pastor Dan Wingate, for your Oct. 11, 2015 message on “The Resurrection Body” at West Hill Baptist Church.  Like many of your messages, this one stimulated me toward further thought and study of the Scriptures.  I studied 1 Corinthians 15: 35-41 and context to understand more of what the Apostle Paul and the Spirit meant by saying that we will be “sown a natural body…raised a spiritual body.”  In particular, my question was, “Even though we will all be changed (1 Corinthians 15: 51), will we still be individually and personally recognizable in our new spiritual bodies?”

I believe Scripture supports the notion that God uses both the natural revelation in creation and a consistent line of reason from His special revelation to teach that our resurrection bodies will retain qualities that enable recognition of one another in heaven.  Let’s consider what we can learn from the natural revelation first.  

Note how Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15: 39-41, highlights the great diversity in God’s creation, both biologically and astrologically:

"That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.."

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.  There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

Pastor Dan, you explained this so clearly by the simple “taxonomy” you used for all of us to understand; namely, that there is diversity of “kinds” among plants--flowers (herbs), trees, and shrubs.  Each is distinct from the others.  Likewise, Paul uses plants we call “grain” (e.g. wheat or rye) to point out that a seed that is sown has a different body from the one that will eventually spring up from the ground (v.  37).   Furthermore, the body of the seed that is sown must die in order for the body of the new plant to spring up from the ground (v. 36).  The biological knowledge God has given me brings this latter truth into new light.  The seed literally has to “die to” its original form, “give up” its nature as a seed, and surrender its nutrients and food reserves—all of this for the good of the “new body” that now sprouts up from the soil as it freely uses the seed resources surrendered by the “dying seed.” 

It seems unfortunate to a seed that its role is only realized by its death and surrender to support the needs of the seedling.  However, this relationship does illustrate that each of us as believers find our purpose and joy only to the extent that we deny ourselves in order to take up our cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9: 23).  Of direct pertinence to our eventual physical death, when our life on Earth reaches its end, our bodies will be changed as we are destined for an even more glorious body.

But there is a second attribute of God’s biological creation that lends insight into our resurrection bodies.  Although the body of the seed is distinct from the body of the seedling, it is also true that God has given “to each of the seeds a body of its own (v. 38).”  Therefore, as verses 39-41 elaborate, each “kind” of plant (or animal, planet, and star) is distinct among the great diversity of plants (or animals and celestial bodies).  But in the midst of this great diversity, there is also “continuity.” 

It is true that each “kind” of seed dies and disintegrates when it surrenders its form and resources to support the growth of the seedling.  Yet the seed determines what “kind” of seedling will result (through the DNA contained in the embryo of the seed which grows into the new body of the seedling).  This means, although as you suggested, we can identify each distinct “kind” of seed among a whole variety of seeds in a container—they each have their distinct traits—corn, wheat, oats, etc.  But, it is also true that the body of the seedling that results from each of the different “kinds” of seeds, while a different body from the seed, does express predictable traits that enable us to identify it as having been associated with the “old body” of the seed from which it sprouted. 

I would like to believe that God intends by this “seed-seedling analogy” to teach us that our new resurrection bodies, though different from our earthly bodies because they are “spiritual bodies” will nonetheless have recognizable traits.  Very likely, our appearance along with behavioral (or voice?) traits, will enable us to be recognized for who we are individually.

If my application of the “seed-seedling analogy” above is accurate, then we can say that God’s natural revelation in creation tells us much about the relationship between our earthly bodies and our future spiritual bodies.  However, we must rely on God’s special revelation for additional support for the claim that we will recognize our loved ones and friends, including Bible personalities we’ve never met, when we get to heaven.  There are three kinds of supporting evidence from Scripture:

a.   The disciples recognized Jesus in His resurrection body.  John 21: 1-14 records that “Jesus was manifested (rendered apparent) to the disciples” and that he ate breakfast with them.  Based on this account, we will also be distinctly recognizable in our resurrection bodies because the Scripture says, “Christ [is] the first fruits, after that, those who are Christ's at His coming... (1 Cor. 15: 23).”   It is also recorded that Thomas who doubted that Jesus was alive following His crucifixion also eventually recognized Jesus (John 20: 24-29).  Finally, Luke 24 says about Jesus followers on the road to Emmaus, “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him (v. 16)… [until] their eyes       were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight (v. 31).

b.   Three of Jesus’ disciples recognized Moses and Elijah on the mount of transfiguration      even though they had never met them, suggesting that there must be other aspects of  our bodies after death that distinguish us as individuals.  See Luke 9: 29-33.

I thank God for my local church.

c.   How are we comforted unless we recognize our loved ones?  In 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-18, Paul comforts his Christian readers with the truth that we will meet our loved ones again.  Much of this comfort is found in the promise that one day, we will recognize our loved ones as distinct persons we once knew and loved.  Thanks be to God, we can have the hope of this great reunion, much more blessed than is possible here on Earth.   Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22: 20).

How about you?  Thank you for reading this article.  Perhaps you disagree, or have additional questions about your future.  Jesus said in John 3: 18, speaking of Himself, He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  The Bible throughout makes it clear that those who reject God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His perfect, atoning sacrifice for sin will not inherit spiritual bodies and will not live eternally in the new heaven and new earth.  Romans 3: 23 makes it clear that ALL of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  If you do not have the assurance that your sins have been forgiven, please let me know, or follow up with a trusted Christian friend or pastor (see link below).  The Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible from which the above verse was taken is a great place to become acquainted with Jesus and His life-saving message.  For those who have trusted Christ for forgiveness and a victorious walk with God through the armor and power of His Spirit, the following passage is a fitting encouragement:

Beloved, now we are children of God,
and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.
We know that when He appears, we will be like Him,
because we will see Him just as He is.
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.  – 1 John 3: 2-3

To listen to this or other messages of Pastor Dan Wingate, and for other messages and resources from West Hill Baptist Church, Wooster, Ohio, click HERE.

The Wait (and Weight) of a Long “Good-bye”

“Any bites on your home?”
“How is your mother doing?”
“Any more bites on your home?”
“We’re so happy you have a buyer!”
“Will you be moving closer to your mothers?”
“Has your buyer found a buyer yet?”
“Has your buyer found a new buyer yet?”
“We’re sorry your contract expired in Wooster.”
“We’re so glad you found a new buyer!”

These are some of the inquiries and comments we’ve heard during the past year from a loving and caring community of friends in and around Cedarville during a year of waiting and dealing with health issues.  Whether great or small, the challenges of life are often difficult to keep asking about and telling about; and especially, praying about.  Being surrounded with friends who ask, care, and pray has been a blessing to Abby and I.  We realize that our experience is only a small speck in the larger universe of God’s provision and plan.  After all, people buy and sell homes and face illnesses every day.  However, if you want more of our story, please read on.  We hope it will honor God in spite of our limited maturity and vision.

Abby and I began a period of “redirection” of our lives in August, 2011, following 32 years of teaching at Cedarville University.  We have already explained the goals we have prayerfully established (See Oikonomia, December 23, 2011).  We explained the Priorities we had set toward each other as Partners, in honoring our Parents, in loving our Progeny, and in practicing our Profession through a local church in the community of Wooster, OH.  All of these are to be accomplished through the disciplines of prayer, worship, and service that accompany true faith in God and His Word.  The events that unfolded between August and December, 2011 were an immediate affirmation that God’s hand was in these Priorities to accomplish His purposes.

Abby and I with Mom and daytime-caregiver, Lisa

First, as we explained in Oikonomia, December 23, 2011, Abby’s mom experienced a massive stroke on August 31 within days of my redirection.   This event immediately affirmed to us the rightness of our decision to redirect our energies to each other as Partners, and to our Parents.  Whereas, normally I would be teaching classes, I was now available to drive my Partner back and forth to Canton, OH so that both of us could assist in the care of our beloved Parent, “Mom Moser.”  Through numerous trips between Cedarville where we had listed our home with Irongate Realtors and our caring agent, Jeri Drew, we were able to help Abby’s six sisters in a 24/7 care of Mom.  Mom’s recovery began at Mercy Medical Center, continued at Carroll Health Center, and since December has continued at her home since.  With the help of regular physical therapy, Mom was able to regain  her ability to walk with assistance and to enjoy her family in the warmth of her home. 

However, the physical and emotional rigors of devoting extended time including overnights with Mom in December and January, combined with the holidays and travel to maintain relationships with our Progeny in Michigan, began to take a toll on Abby.   In January, while we were caring for Mom for six days, Abby began to have some symptoms of dizziness and fainting which, at first we attributed to her blood pressure medication (You know, “the side effects in fine print.”).  We soon decided to return to Cedarville and admit her to Greene Memorial in Xenia, OH.  Through this, we learned that she had had at least one stroke, although thankfully less severe than her mom’s stroke.

Once again, we both experienced God’s leading, mercy, and provision through caring health professionals, family, and friends.  A CAT scan revealed a blockage in her vertebral artery in her brain.   Thankfully, Abby’s circulatory system had responded to this blockage by redirecting her blood so that her strokes were less debilitating.  Therefore, Abby’s mobility and speech were not affected by the strokes.  Thanks to God’s healing through the good care of the physicians at Greene Memorial, and both our family physician and our ‘nutrition-friendly, homeopathic doctor in Berlin, OH, she has made remarkable improvement.  Abby now keeps a well disciplined schedule of conventional medications, herbal alternatives, healthy eating, nutritional supplements, and exercise.

Although we had hoped that our home would sell before Christmas so that we could eliminate the 8-hour round trip to Mom’s home in Carroll County, and also the 6-hour round trip to our homeopathic doctor in Berlin, we were satisfied that God’s plan was for us to remain in Cedarville.  Our church and community has had a very important part in our lives and in our children’s lives for over three decades.  At Grace, we have been encouraged the preaching ministries of Paul Jackson, David Graham, and now, Pastor Craig Miller; and, the fellowship of our “Philadelphia Class” led by Merlin and Ruth Ager.

We must also thank God for Cedarville College, now a university; and, for the privilege of working with fine colleagues and students for 32 years.  Though it is not possible to name all of my faculty friends and administrators, I remember with joy my first interview with Cliff Johnson, James T. Jeremiah (now with the Lord), and Paul Dixon.  Later, I participated in the search for Cliff’s successor as AVP, Duane Wood; and then, Paul’s successor as president, Bill Brown.  We pray regularly for these men and for Duane’s successor, Tom Cornman.  Our prayers are also with my department chairs, past and present, Don Baumann, Dan Wetzel, and (currently) Dennis Flentge; and with my colleagues of the Science and Mathematics Department.

Although our attendance at Grace Baptist in Cedarville has been more sporadic because of Abby’s health and our travelling, we have been able to maintain relationships and some of our caring ministry to dear folks whose needs far surpass ours.  When I was involved in our “Grace Care” ministry, it was a blessing to serve with folks who struggled with their own physical limitations.  These were among those who prayed faithfully for Abby and I as mentioned above.   One of these friends, Shirley Strobridge, just went home to be with the Lord in July.

Shirley Strobridge

Many months prior to Shirley’s death, her health had declined through bouts with pneumonia and chronic respiratory complications requiring that she leave her lovely home in the forest near Cedarville to enter an assisted living facility.  For the past year, she relied on supplemental oxygen and assistance with her breathing.  One would think that the scope and influence of Shirley’s life was very limited by her weak and frail condition.  However, every time Abby and I, or others would visit her tiny room, all neat and clean, this nearly bedfast lady radiated the love and power of God through her faint speech, her welcoming smile, and her questions about how we were doing.  It was not by (her) might, nor by (her) power, but by God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) at work in and through Shirley that made her “temporary home” there in Hospitality East a place where she could continue her ministry of encouragement to the many who came to visit.

Shirley viewed the change of seasons evident in the tree outside her window, praying that Jesus would not delay long in taking her home.  As we visited her during her final months, confined largely to her bed, we began to see Shirley’s “long good-bye” as a metaphor and a message to us—“God is faithful and He is never late.” Meanwhile, we could see our own trials as much less significant.   Sure, we had our priorities, each beginning with a “P;” but God’s ways are above our ways, and His purposes are much greater.

Although it has been frustratingly long and filled with ups and downs, our “long good-bye” to Cedarville has taught us much.  God had provided us an extended time of transition—of dependence upon Him, lifted by the prayers of dear friends and family; and, we were still in Cedarville to say “good-bye” to Shirley, and to other dear friends whose departure occurred within time we were waiting on God for our “good-bye (listed in reverse chronology of their deaths):”

Shirley Strobridge Jerry Shumaker Oscar Schonscheck Gary Olin Merlin Bliss Harold Amstutz

Esther Frye Harold Green Marv Troyer Lois Helmick Marabeth Elmore Phyllis Wetzel

Now, as the heat of summer gives way to the crispness of autumn, we are glad to report that we have completed the sale of our Cedarville home and have also purchased a home in Wooster, OH as God has led us to do.  This blessing did not come without a prolonged effort and emotional commitment for several months to some dear folks who loved our home.  By July, with no success in selling their home, we mutually agreed to “let go” with hopes that they would eventually sell and renew their contract with us.  At the same time, we our contract on a home in Wooster.  But eventually, God provided us a new buyer and we were able to renew our contract in Wooster.  However, the strain we had brought upon our sellers in Wooster made us wonder if we would ever meet them and learn something of the history of that “house” that would become our “home.”

Thankfully, our sellers agreed to meet with us after closing and we were able to begin a friendship through sharing of our mutual challenges including health issues in both of our families.  We hope to be in Wooster by mid-October and to see the end of our “weighty wait”and long “good-bye” to Cedarville.  Our prayer is that we will continue to honor God in keeping the Priorities we have set toward each other as Partners, honoring our Parents, loving our Progeny, and practicing our Profession through a local church in the community of Wooster.   So, pray for us and “stay tuned.”

Thank you again for the blessed part you are having in our lives.  And, if you understand the thrust of this account, you will agree that any “good-bye” among Christian brothers and sisters is only temporary.  It is an act of faith that our “good-byes” will someday be followed by blessed “hello’s” when we hear a voice from heaven saying,

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
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.
And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new.  – Revelation 21: 3-5a

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.  – I John 3:3

Memorial Park Wooster, Ohio

Stewards ‘Fit into’ God’s Order and Purpose

As our grandchildren enter adolescence, Abby and I are reminded of the universal human need to “fit in.”   Rather suddenly, our grandson has become more conscious of his appearance and the need to be current with media and technology.

Wanting to “fit in” and be accepted by our peers is a common and legitimate need that influences human behavior long after adolescence.  Yet, I wonder how much attention we give to how well we “fit in” to God’s economy within the cosmos, His glorious creation.  After all, the Bible teaches in Genesis 1 and 2, and elsewhere, that humans have been created in God’s image and that we have the responsibility to represent Him as servant stewards of His creation.   Therefore, we should each ask, How well have I been ‘fitting in’ to my role as a steward in God’s great world?

I remember an instance one summer when I had been offended.  I’ve long since forgotten the cause, but my reaction was to take a long walk into field and forest to clear my head.   I walked for awhile and then sat in the shade of a giant oak.  As I pondered my situation I was soon pleasantly distracted by a variety of creatures large and small, each going about their work.   Ants carrying pieces of detritus, mushrooms anchored to the moist humus, birds carrying dead grass to add to a nest, squirrels scampering up and down the branches of the giant oak, and a woodchuck nibbling on a clover plant.   All the while, the giant oak was absorbing sunlight and converting carbon dioxide, water, and other inorganic compounds into carbohydrates, proteins, and other constituents necessary for its life and growth.

While I sat there stewing and “out of sorts,” each creature in the shade of the oak tree was being what it had been created to be, and doing what it had been created to do--to “fit into” the created order.  Oak and clover were capturing energy from our nearest star, the Sun, to grow and reproduce.  Squirrel and woodchuck were eating what was necessary for regular nourishment, and perhaps storing food for a later time.  Birds and ants were using detritus and, in so doing, were “processing” waste material from the land of the living as they found uses for it.  Along with the fungi (mushrooms), this “processing” would lead to decomposition and release of inorganic compounds available to re-enter the food chain through photosynthesis.

Meanwhile, as I sat pondering the complex interactions around this single oak tree, it suddenly occurred to me that I was the only living creature within view that did not “fit in.”  What’s worse, by being “out of sorts” with a loved one, I was not only “out of sync” with God’s world, I was also “out of sync” with the principles of His Word; and, ultimately, “out of fellowship” with God Himself.

Fortunately, I was able to return and resolve the quibble that prompted my hike.  Since then, the experience under the oak has become a metaphor which, with the help of God’s Spirit, I have recalled on many occasions.  The creatures around the oak tree taught me that each one has a purpose to fulfill.   When I am “out of sorts,” I am NOT “fitting in” with either the order of creation or with the purpose and plan God has for me.   My goal must be to “fit in” with God’s plan which, in turn, brings glory to Him.

As we have stated elsewhere in Oikonomia (see links below), our fundamental role and purpose is to be stewards.  According to His plan, God’s stewards serve Him with thankful hearts that are being filled daily with His redeeming love.   Godly stewards love and serve their neighbor as they would want to be served, and they “serve with” (or con-serve) creation in ways that enhance its fruitfulness and its testimony of God’s wisdom and glory.   As we fulfill this purpose, we are fulfilling what is described by the Westminister Short Catechism, as the “chief end” of mankind; namely “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  In short, we are “fitting in” to God’s plan for us on the earth.

Ann Voskamp:  "God gives us gifts to serve the world."

To illustrate further, it is worth noting that WORLD News Group's new documentary series on “Emerging Christian Leaders” begins in September, 2012 with the feature of Ann Voskamp, best-selling author of the book, One Thousand Gifts.  In the trailer for this documentary, now on YouTube, Ann Voskamp, speaks about how God’s creation presents to us the model of servanthood, and invites us to “fit in” to this pattern as stewards of creation.

Out of human desire to “fit in” with our peers, we often expend much time, energy, and resources.  Indeed, sometimes we may still go through the motions of serving God, loving our neighbor, and caring for God’s creation, but fall short of “fitting in.” May God help us to remember the deeper purpose for which He has created in us this need to “fit in;” namely, that we discover that ultimately we do not “fit in” anywhere here on Earth.  As C.S. Lewis writes in The Weight of Glory (addition mine),

For a few minutes we have had the illusion of belonging [“fitting in”] to that world. Now we wake to find that it is no such thing. We have been mere spectators. Beauty has smiled, but not to welcome us; her face was turned in our direction, but not to see us. We have not been accepted, welcomed, or taken into the dance.

“What a disappointment!” we might say.  But let us be reminded that we are called to live by faith as defined in Hebrews 11: 1-2; 13, 16 (emphasis mine):

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.
For by it the men of old gained approval.
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises,
but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance,
and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
for He has prepared a city for them.

By God’s grace, as we live by faith while here on Earth, we can share in this hope of “a better country” in which we will perfectly “fit in” because we will be welcomed by the only One that ultimately matters, our Heavenly Father.   C.S. Lewis’s words again best describe our ultimate “fitting in” as we are welcomed by our Father:

The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us who really chooses, shall actually survive that examination, shall find approval, shall please God.  To please God…to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son—it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.

The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Yourself through creation and through your Word, recorded and preserved for us in the Bible.  Thank you for allowing human creatures the privilege of being called “children of God” through faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross.  Thank you for empowering us through your Spirit and showing us how to love our neighbor; and appointing us stewards, “servant kings,” of your creation.  What a humbling role; yet, how many times I falter out of arrogance and selfishness.  Help me to follow Your example and instruction that I may “fit in” to your purpose and plan to bring glory and praise to You while I live here on Earth; and, to anticipate by faith that time when I will see Your Son as He really is and experience ultimate glory through the sense of your approval, the ultimate “fitting in” as I realize fully what you created me to be.    Amen.

Related Sources:

Lewis, C.S.  “The Weight of Glory.”  Preached originally as a sermon in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, on June 8, 1942: published in THEOLOGY, November, 1941, and by the S.P.C.K, 1942.

Oikonomia: Our Stewardship Is about God, Not Us,  October 31, 2011

Oikonomia: Character Qualities of a Steward-Leader,  May 31, 2012