bible articles

there is more between heaven and earth

Recently a Norwegian newspaper reported the story of a car that slid off the road and tumbled down a sloop barely hitting trees on each side. The reporter went on to say that the driver had “good luck” since he survived the accident without injury. In the same article the reporter used the expression “angel protection” that is commonly used in Norway when things like this happen that are hard to explain. So what is it? Good luck or angel protection?

A few months ago I was in Canada on a speaking tour. A lady that came to listen to my presentations invited my wife and I for lunch. As we sat in the restaurant I asked her to tell us a little about herself. She told us about her upbringing in Germany after the war, which had not been easy. She decided to immigrate to Canada only knowing one word in English – “Good morning”. She happened to arrive in the evening but used her one word vocabulary nonetheless! She ended up getting married and had two children. Her marriage eventual broke and one of her children died, plunging her into a deep depression. She felt she had no reason to live anymore. Trying to find ways to rejuvenate her mind she decided to take a boat tour. Out on the sea she still could not see any light at the end of the dark tunnel of despair. She thought it would be best if she just ended it all. With these thoughts she walked to the railing of the ship. Just at this moment a huge magnificent whale emerges from the waters beneath her. She said it was one the most beautiful things she had ever seen. At the same time she felt filled with a sense of God’s love and care for her. It was a turning point in her life. Some may say that the fact that the whale emerged just at that time was pure coincidence. Others will acknowledge that there is more between heaven and earth.

The scriptures record the story of a man named Jacob that had an astonishing dream at a time when he was separated from his family and his life was in danger. In his dream he sees a ladder reaching all the way from earth to heaven. On the ladder there are angels travelling forth and back between heaven and earth. As Jacob awakes from his sleep he says; “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” He wakes up with the assurance that God is on His side and that he can face life with all its challenges because he is not alone.

Do you ever feel alone? Does life at times overwhelm you with its cares? Do you wonder at times if there is more between heaven and earth?

About 2000 years ago a young Jew by the name of Nathanael was sitting under a fig tree pondering whether or not Jesus of Nazareth, who had just entered the public scene, was the promised Messiah figure of ancient prophecy. Urged by his friend Philip he eventually decides to go to Jesus and check him out. Jesus meets him by saying;

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Nathanael is caught with amazement and utters;

“Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Jesus answers;

“Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, you believe? You will see greater things than these…Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (John 1).

Maybe you are pondering whether there is more between heaven and earth. Maybe you are wondering if Jesus is really the one he claimed to be. Just like Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree so he sees you. He invites you and me to come and experience great things. He wants to open our eyes to the wonder and beauty of life revealing that there is more…yes, much more! It all centers in the person Jesus who is the ladder, the connecting link, to bring us back to our Creator. May you find the connecting link and experience the fullness of life!