The Kingdom of Heaven is like Sung-Bong Choi

Have you seen this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0n0vSAqdL0

I include it here, not because the story is so compelling (it is), or because Sung-Bong Choi has such an amazing voice (WOW!), or even that “The Mission” soundtrack contains some of my favorite music (I tear up every time). I include this video because hearing Sung-Bong Choi sing reminds me of what the future Kingdom of heaven is like.

Most people today are trapped in lives that do not fit with who they are and who God made them to be.

Most of us feel it. I feel it.

We feel trapped in our own bodies, in our own lives, and by a whole host of “What if’s” and “If only’s.”

Sometimes in this life, people break through to fulfill their God-given purpose and realize their potential within the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Sadly, this experience in this life is very, very rare.

But there is still hope.

I believe that in the future eternal Kingdom, every person will be able to fulfill their true potential, and live according to their God-given purpose, so they can be the person God made them to be. I am reminded of one of the closing scenes in Randy Alcorn’s book, Safely Home. One of the main characters, a Chinese Christian named Li Quan, had always wanted to study, teach, fish, and enjoy life with his family. But being a persecuted Christian in China stripped all these dreams and desires from him. After being martyred, he found himself walking through heaven with Jesus, who tells Li Quan this:

When you longed for a great house in that world, you were longing for my house. You just didn’t know it. My children there never dream too big, you know. They dream too small. …They set their sights far too low. They choose to play in the mud on a cold rainy day when I offer them open green meadows in the sun, clear flowing streams, majestic mountains, and endless beaches and blue skies that stretch to the stars themselves, stars that are gateways to innumerable worlds beyond. The sons of Adam try so hard to be satisfied with so little–which keeps them from ever being satisfied at all (p. 377).

This, of course, is an allusion to something C. S. Lewis wrote about in The Weight of Glory about us being content to make mud pies in the slum because we cannot imagine what is meant by a holiday at the sea.

But back to the story of Li Quin.

After he and Jesus talk some more, Jesus says this to Li Quan:

Charis (the city of heaven) is a place of learning and discovery, with minds hungry for ever-growing knowledge and insight. My creation cries out to be explored. You will always learn more about me and my world. I am inexhaustible, you know. Eventually, you will teach others. …Yes, it is true. In the University of Charis, I have made a faculty position just for Professor Li Quan!

Li Quan had a purpose to fulfill in life, but the circumstances of life did not allow him to even begin fulfilling his dreams and desires. But Jesus told Li Quan that he will fulfill his purpose in all eternity.

If you are feeling frustrated by life, recognize that this is just part of life. But a day is coming when all will be set straight, and our lives will be made whole, so we can be and do what God has always intended.