In one of the chapters he objects to the notion that because his son’s earthly life is over, there is so much he has not accomplished, saying: “It is not likely that such noble dreams and ambitions, such rare and precious traits, are even more at home in heaven than on earth? Is it not plausible that in the place of perfection, they have not been erased but rather increased, not diminished but multiplied? Is it not appropriate, then, that I should turn my lamentations into praise, my grief into hope, my sorrow into expectation, confident that Nick has gone where he can thrive, where he can flourish, where his every dream can be made good?”
I had never really thought about Oliver’s heavenly existence as a place of growth and productivity before. Oliver’s death brought me a longing for heaven and a better understanding of how great heaven must be, but I didn’t spend much time thinking about what he would be doing in heaven. Could it be not just a wonderful place, but also a place of fulfillment and productive work for the kingdom of God? Not just in a "watching over us" sense but in a "still working and growing and accomplishing" sense? I do not like to think about him just waiting or even just playing. He loved to work. There is so much I would have liked to see him do. Maybe when I join him someday he will have lots to say about the work he has been doing for our heavenly Father. May I be found at work for the kingdom too.
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
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