It HAS to be something! An angel! A sign from heaven! An answer to prayer! There’s more to this life. In noticing the reactions online to a rare weather phenomenon called a “Fire Rainbow”, I’m reminded of the hope of heaven, and the longing of creation to see redemption.

When a loved one dies in Jesus, isn’t it a wonderful thought to think that they may be looking down at us from heaven? While the grief is gut wrenching and we want to have our loved ones back with us, knowing they are with Christ moves our heart to long for the eternal.

This longing is worldwide. Every one wants something more, something deeper. It comes with a realization, after chasing a dream for years, even decades, that a dream without eternity in mind is often short-lived, and somehow misses the mark of what we seek. Maybe it’s a financial dream. Retirement? There is joy in seeing people do things they have worked all their lives to attain. All that hustle for a few decades of healthy (maybe) relaxation and rest? Maybe it’s a career dream. Then the bottom falls out and you’re without a job and with mouths to feed, including your own, you know there’s something more than living for a paycheck.

The fire rainbow reminds me of a collective gasp for air in all of us. There’s a God-shaped hole nothing else can fill. C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

Romans 8:18-25 make things clearer:

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

In short, this desire is something only God himself can fulfill. That hope and fulfillment is found in his Son Jesus Christ and the forgiveness made available to us. Jesus is the ultimate breath in our lungs. Even as the beauty of the skies are but a glimpse of the true glory to be revealed in the Son of God in his salvation to those that know him on that day. We wait with patience, for the sons of God to be revealed on that day. You can have a relationship with God through Jesus  today. Live life for God now. Don’t wait. Give him your best years now. Amen, Come Lord Jesus.