What if indeed. There is a mistaken "Christian" perception of this world being naught but an unfortunate vale of sorrows to be endured until we gain through to heaven. Some Christians have this conviction. There is even a hymn to prove it. (See the image above, noting that it is in A minor).
Perhaps this phenomenon is a result of St. Paul's assertion that he does not consider the sufferings of this present time worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Or perhaps it is his articulation that we are at war against the principalities and powers of this present darkness (Ephesians 6:21). Or even his statement that if it is only for this life that we have hope in Christ we are to be pitied above all men (I Corinthians 15:19). Taking these texts into consideration, it would appear that Paul rather agrees with the unfortunate vale of sorrows spin on things.
But I do not think that he does, nor do I think that it is a Christian conviction. And I have reasons.
First, while Paul does say all the aforementioned, he also says, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) It would seem that there are things of the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. But, you might argue, Paul is referring in Philippians to the perfect vision of heaven only to be imagined. You might argue that except:
Second. "And God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good." (Genesis 1:31). I'm not sure further comment on this one is required. The goodness of the Lord is in his creation. And by creation we do not mean just what one calls Nature - trees, hills, mountains, etc. Creation, as I recall, includes men and women and specifically their relationship with one another. Still in the very good category.*
Third. The Incarnation. That would be God becoming one of us in the person of Jesus. It rather hallows and dignifies being human and having a present life in which to see the goodness of God which, by the way, is what Jesus did. To be sure he experienced the evil and suffering of this world but he was always thanking the Father - for food, for God's actions and revelation, for people around him. He was rather taken to enjoying those people - his disciples in particular. Note also his tender relationship to Lazarus at whose tomb he wept. Not to mention the parties he went to (much to the consternation of the vale of sorrows crowd of his day) and the provision of wine for a wedding. Surely among all of that is the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
That was three. I'm not finished but I'm not going to keep numbering - it seems unnecessary.
I want to go back to Paul's statement in Ephesians that we are at war against the principalities and powers. Technically he says we wrestle against them, but since he recommends the whole armor of God for this match we can assume he meant that it is armed conflict. What if we are at war? Does that mean we do not see His goodness? What about the courage shown in war? What about the sacrifice many men and women have made in war? Is that not good and true?
And Paul's assertion that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the coming glory. Just because that glory eclipses the suffering and struggle, does that mean that life is ONLY suffering and struggle? Certainly not!
But even if it were, is this not also the goodness of the Lord? That we might share in his suffering that we might also share in his resurrection? (Philippians 3:10-11).
What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living? Again, what if indeed. I wonder if our failure to recognize his goodness here, in the land of the living, and our failure to respond to that goodness with humble and hearty thanks, might just impair us from seeing his goodness anywhere - even in glory. C.S. Lewis paints a picture of this danger in the dwarves in The Last Battle who sit in glory, in the fulness of the goodness of the Lord, and can see none of it.
O that we would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living - and rejoice to give thanks.
*To be sure there is much in human relationship both on an individual and corporate level that is very bad. This does not mean that there is not much that is very good and of the Lord.
