We don't begin to have a clue.

God is doing a zillion things He has not deigned to mention to us mortals.

It's not our business to know, for one thing. He has reserved most of what goes on in the universe for Himself. "The secret things belong to the Lord our God ..."  (Deuteronomy 29:29).

All that we know about the operation of the created world is a sliver of the full story. How can it be that, before the world as we know it was formed, the heavenly Father was already at work making plans for us to arrive and dwell with Him forever?

I do not know. Neither do you.

What unimaginable reality may we expect to find when we get to heaven if Father has had all these eons to make it?

What does this say about pre-history—the story of what God was doing before the Big Bang of Creation.

We hang our heads in humility. We read the final verses of Romans 11 and say, "Yes, yes. This is how it is!"

"O the depth both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or, who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to Him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen."

And so we humbly say...

• There is so much we do not know. Humility.
• The overwhelming evidence is that we are loved and wanted and planned for. Love.
• When we leave earth, we will have just begun to live. The future is literally out of this world, beyond anything imagined or dreamed, hoped or expected. Excitement.
• It all comes down to the character of the Lord Jesus Christ and the integrity of the Word of God, whether He can be trusted. Faith.
• All the evidence we have—and there is plenty—says Jesus is real, His word is good, and His promises are dependable. Foundation.
• This is the day the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it, and will serve the Lord with gladness.

"For he was looking for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).

After five years as director of missions for the 100 Southern Baptist churches of metro New Orleans, Joe McKeever retired on June 1, 2009. These days, he has an office at the First Baptist Church of Kenner, where he's working on three books, and he's trying to accept every speaking/preaching invitation that comes his way.

For the original article, visit joemckeever.com.

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