Columnist Paul Krugman once quipped that the federal government is basically an insurance company with an army. (That’s because the non-military spending of our Federal budget is dominated by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid costs.) He went on to say that our state and local governments are basically school districts with police and fire departments. (Education costs make up more than half of the state and local workforce.) So we live our lives now surrounded by insurance companies with armies and schools with police forces. As people of faith, it begs the question: What will heaven be like?
Where we spend our money reflects our priorities. Clearly we value educating our youth and providing opportunities for people to better themselves through learning and training. We also value caring for people who are at risk by providing resources to help them in their retirement or with their ongoing medical needs. In the same vein, we prioritize safety, whether defined nationally through our military branches or defined locally through our police forces. Will those same three categories (education, caring for the vulnerable, safety) be important when we move from this life to the life to come?
It’s an interesting question to ponder. Former Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) moderator Marj Carpenter tells how a pastor was leading a bible study at her church and asked the gentleman next to her “Do you ever think about the hereafter?” He answered quickly, “Oh yes—every day.” The pastor said, “Well, that’s wonderful.” To which the man replied, “I’m constantly walking around the house asking myself, ‘Now what am I here after?’”
Much of the biblical material about heaven focuses on the “host” of heaven, more than on the “guests.” It is a place referred to as the kingdom or realm of God—somewhere that has many dwelling places—a time of re-connection, so that where Christ is we too shall be. It is also referred to as a place of completion. Whatever has been left unfinished in this life will find its completion there. Whatever has been marred, damaged, or wounded in this life will be transformed into a wholeness intended from the dawn of time. And as the Easter resurrection event is called in scripture the “first fruits” (I Corinthians 15), this refers to the promise that what has been done initially for Jesus Christ will also be done for us.
If I had to speculate beyond those promises, I would hope that the priorities of this life would shift a bit in the life to come. I don’t think we’ll need heavenly “insurance programs,” for the God who has known us all the ages long is eternal and steadfast for ages yet to come. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about armies, police forces or security measures, since the one who is our Good Shepherd, whose rod and staff comforts us, will ever be by our side. But I do hope the education will still be valued in heaven. There is so much to learn and discover about this universe. I hope opportunities for “continued education” are part of the curriculum in God’s heavenly realm. But for now, we can only wait and see—speculate and pray—and, occasionally walk around our houses wondering “what am I here after?” Blessings to you all for the summer season!
—Randy Bush