A PEARL OF LONGING

 The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Philippi that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also look for a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” (Philippians 3:20 NKJV)

A line from a song by my grandson, Martin Maharas, goes, “I don’t belong to this world as they can see.” I ask myself, “Is it abundantly clear to the unbelieving citizens of this world that I am an alien, a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth (Hebrews 11:13)?

One blessing of my widowhood that I’m gradually coming to appreciate is my sense of alienation from the things of this world and a longing for heaven, and even beyond that “intermediate state,” the “new heavens and new earth in which dwells righteousness” ( 2 Peter 3:13).

My progress toward this new outlook has been painful because we Christians, like all humans, are physical as well as spiritual beings. God has gifted us with the ability to enjoy physical pleasures. For instance, we have a sophisticated sense of taste (unless, of course, we have been afflicted with COVID-19!). Yet, our enjoyment of food can be a source of sin. The Bible warns against gluttony right along with drunkenness (Proverbs 23:21). Indeed, it can be idolatry. Paul says that some people’s “god is their belly” (Philippians 3:19).

God also designed us to find sexual intimacy pleasurable, and it is hardly necessary to elaborate on the sinful abuses of that gift! Yet widowhood is a forced celibacy for the committed Christian. Admittedly it is more painful for some than for others. Paul told the Corinthian Christians, “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that . . .” For me, celibacy is not my “gift”. Though my bathrobe looks like a monk’s habit, that’s not who I am! I bear this “crook in the lot” in obedience to God and in faith that He has a good purpose for it. But it's a trial all the same.

Then there is the loneliness. We are social beings, and most of us long for the companionship of a spouse. Church services and other social gatherings give some relief, but they can’t fill that void of having someone with whom to share our thoughts throughout the day and especially in the evening. Those lonely evenings are the worst.

These irritations of widowhood, like grains of sand in an oyster, have produced the pearl of greater longing for God’s heavenly kingdom. That kingdom is coming whether people are longing for it or not! Sadly, many professing Christians will be caught unprepared. It’s a blessing to have that longing for heaven:

“Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” (Matthew 24:46)

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(2 Timothy 4:8)

So I’m finding a hidden pearl in my widowhood. “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!”