On Earth as It Is in Heaven - Encouragement for Today - January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

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Carole Holiday January 15, 2025

On Earth as It Is in Heaven
CAROLE HOLIDAY

“… The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)

My doctor paused as she left the exam room, her hand on the door. She opened it a bit, then turned to offer a final prognosis.

“There’s a new chapter coming for you.”

I love how God provides encouragement in the unlikeliest of places.

In my thin paper gown, I shivered — my body’s involuntary response to her verbal gift that provided salve to my sore soul. My internist, a woman of my age, had listened well. Our conversation about aging, difficult diagnoses and caregiving had touched both of us, and she knew I was hurting both physically and emotionally.

Some would say that in moments like this, we enter “thin places” — where the distance between heaven and earth diminishes and the two seemingly overlap. I found this in the sacred serendipity of another human hearing and seeing my heart and responding with empathy and understanding, as Jesus would.

He reminds us in Luke’s Gospel that the Kingdom of heaven is already superimposed over our earthly realm. In this passage, Jesus announced He has brought heaven to earth:

“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20-21).

While we’re waiting for the reimagined world where there will be no more tears, heartache or pain (Revelation 21:4), we can experience heaven’s longed-for touch in the here and now … even in the midst of sorrow. Jesus proclaimed this to be true.

Through image bearers of God, the Kingdom of heaven flourishes on earth. Every time we live like Jesus and point to His beauty, it's like we wander through heaven’s gates and offer a bit of its mystery and wonder to our fallen world.

I sense this most in encouragement from His saints: the kind word, the unexpected message, the text from a friend on a gray day when my faith is shaky.

When Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God rests in His presence with His created ones — "in [our] midst" (Luke 17:21) — He also called out an expectation that we can temper our disappointments by softening one another’s heartaches.

We don't have to pretend life is easy. My sweet daughter, an overwhelmed mom of children with special difficulties, recently shared with me: “I feel like life is mostly hard right now, Mom.”

On those days, I find myself whispering, God, I need to see You today. And then a P.S.: God, I need the strength to show You today.

As if I’m pausing at the door, prying it open just enough to usher the Kingdom of heaven into the broken places.

There’s a new chapter coming for you, too, friend.

Lord, when I’m hurting, show me Your presence. Remind me the Kingdom of heaven is in my midst despite life’s hardships. Give me the strength to show Your Kingdom to someone who needs You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Have you ever found yourself asking questions like “What will heaven really be like?” or “What happens after this life?” You’re not alone. On our most recent episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Jennifer Rothschild joins some of our staff to discuss her new study, Heaven. Together, they’ll explore questions like: Who goes to heaven? What will we do there? How can we separate biblical Truth from hopeful guesses?Jennifer’s insights will help you move from wondering about heaven to embracing its reality with confidence and peace. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode, so click to listen now.

Have you ever seen God deliver a blessing through a total stranger in a “thin place” moment? Read about how a low point in Carole’s life was softened by an “angel unaware” in her book, I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore.

ENGAGE

Receive a favorite winter recipe from Carole at caroleholiday.com. When you sign up to receive the winter recipe, she will also enter your name into a drawing to receive two copies of her book for you and a friend.

You can also follow Carole on Instagram @caroleholiday.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Revelation 21:4, “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (NIV).

Jesus referred to the Kingdom of God over 100 times in the Gospels alone. You can read one of those references in Mark 12:28-34, where Jesus engaged an insightful religious scholar in a discussion about the greatest commandment. How do you think verse 31 ties into verse 34, where Jesus raised the topic of God’s Kingdom?

We’d love to know your thoughts! Share them in the comments.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org