As they have been for decades, family vacations continue to be the summer highlight for many families. Road trips to favorite destinations, a few days at a theme park, or even a trek into an unknown wilderness can make indelible memories to be enjoyed for a lifetime. My own childhood is filled with images of mountain hikes, lake fishing, and fighting with my brother in the truck’s bed on long road trips.
Where are we going?
Each year, the question always arises, “Where are we going?” Some families like to repeat past trips while others like to find new adventures. Vacationers may prefer beaches, others prefer city attractions, and still others prefer staying home. Every family has its own goals and desires. And while this year’s choice may not be everybody’s favorite, they will make memories and reach their destinations.
Life has a destination.
Some people believe life ends in death and there is nothing beyond the grave. Others believe the will be reincarnated over and over until they build enough karma to attain nirvana—the melting into the supreme consciousness. Some get their understanding of the world beyond from myths, fables, or even pop culture.
The Bible makes it clear there are two distinct destinations after earthly life—heaven and hell. Jesus describes the Judgment scene in Matthew 25:31-46, concluding, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” In another depiction of the Judgment Day Jesus reveals, “And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (Rev 20:12).
The divine amenities of heaven.
God describes heaven as an idyllic paradise where the saved bask in his presence. There we praise and adore God and walk beside the River of Life flowing from God’s throne. We may eat from the Tree of Life. Heaven offers peace and rest. No destination on earth today can match the divine amenities of heaven.
On the other hand…
On the other hand, hell is a destination of torment, pain, and endless destruction—a place separated from God, and absent of hope. Nothing about hell and its eternal suffering invite us to make it our destination. Yet, Jesus warns, “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matt 7:13-14).
If heaven is so wonderful, and hell is so terrible, why do so many people choose hell? Many people are like the family who refused to plan their vacation. They just jumped in the car and headed east. Disappointment set in when they hit the ocean and did not see the Rocky Mountains. The dad admitted, “I figured they were so big, we couldn’t possibly miss them.” But miss them, they did. Some people figure heaven is so big, nobody could miss it. Sadly, most will.
Let’s make heaven our destination.
Let’s put heaven in our plans. Make it our destination. Let Jesus be our Travel Agent, and his Word be our itinerary. We will not accidentally wind up in heaven. Every soul must make the right choices on earth to get there for eternity. We should get our tickets punched for passage to Paradise.
Preaching Minister
