But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:13 (ESV)
I awoke this morning. It was the same world as yesterday. Oh, some things had changed (apparently) from a quick glance at the newspaper; at least enough we could have some “news”. But even with the change, it was the same. Front page: politicians failed to approve legislation that many (some?) felt important for the region. Some were for it; some against it – nothing new about that. Scandal cost another notable his job. Young people mess up their lives and future by doing dumb (and illegal) things. I wonder if they had a clue of what this would cost them. Adults play games and get paid millions for it (calling it sports, of course.) There is plenty to write about. But the news isn’t really new. It’s really “olds”, for nothing has really changed.
But then my mind wanders forward, ahead by years, maybe decades, maybe centuries, maybe millennia, I’m not quite sure. But somewhere in the future, everything will change, really change. There will be new heavens and a new earth and the morning news (or “olds”) will be quite different, for there righteousness will dwell. Everything will be aligned rightly – no evil or scandals, no wars or crimes, no winners and losers, no misplaced priorities, no broken promises or vows, no abuse or neglect, no peace accords negotiated because peace will reign, no negative campaign advertising, no… The list continues as my mind wanders.
Will this be boring? After all, what captures our attention and generally fills our news today is the very stuff that won’t be in that future. Will it be boring? Only if experiencing and enjoying what your heart has always longed for could be boring. Are moments of true, pure love boring? Then would an eternity of complete, unadulterated love be so? Can joy ever grow old; or life without stress; or relationships without offenses?
As I remember it, as I reflect on it, I know it is worth waiting for. In the meantime, I will read the news. But as I do, perhaps it will remind me of a better world, a better time, a better place. I won’t look for it in the morning news. No, it is too big for that and too abrupt. But I’ll be looking for it, nonetheless. I have Someone’s word on it.
