Work in Heaven: Keeping the Party Going

As we finished up our series on the book of Revelation, I’ve been noticing how much the writers in the Bible talk about heaven as a feast. Jesus, John, Luke, and Paul all seem to think that after God “makes all things new” and restores creation to full goodness, God will sit down with all people for an amazing meal. Eternity kicks off with a party, and there’s good things to eat.

Which seems to imply: there will be cooking in heaven. So, there’s got to be gardening, farming, and milling in heaven. And there’s tables, so there must also be woodworking and smithing. We will need to sew cloth for clothes, spin clay into bowls, and make games to humor the children.

All that to say - I’ve been thinking a lot about how there’s going to be work in heaven. But, in all the Bible’s visions of heaven no one is afraid, worried, or tired, and there’s always enough to go around. So, if there is work in heaven, it’s not work we do to pay the rent or survive, it’s work we do for joy and passion — work that enhances our lives, builds community, and satisfies our creativity and curiosity. When we get to do work out of love and not out of necessity, it will “keep the party going” forever.

I wonder: What kind of work will you want to do?

What kind of work fulfills you, and brings you joy instead of stealing it from you?

I think this is one of the things I love so much about church: church is a little foretaste of heaven! Making church happen certainly takes a lot of work, but it’s a beautiful mosaic of each of us giving our time, energy, and skill as a gift of love. And, just like in heaven, the work we each do for the church makes a space for every person to come to God with us, and brings joy and peace to our neighbors. I hope you all know how sacred and important the work we do together at PUMC is. Thank you all for your gifts, your skills, and your hearts. I look forward to keeping the party going each week!

— Pastor Kevin