This life as preparation for the next?

To one degree or another, most religions (including Christianity) tend to view this life as a preparation for the next. Hence, any pain or suffering that one experiences in the here and now is said to be inconsequential when compared to the hereafter. Likewise, any joy or happiness that one experiences here must not be allowed to interfere with our prospects for a future life.

For Christians who are suffering, Paul's epistle to the Romans is considered definitive. He wrote: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

Likewise, Moses' rejection of the good life in favor of the reward that he would eventually receive from the Lord is held up as an example for Christians in the epistle to the Hebrews. We read: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Hebrews 11:24-26

In short, many Christians tend to remember Paul's instructions to the saints at Corinth and focus all of their energy and attention on the hereafter. He wrote: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:17-18

Unfortunately, as with most things related to religion, too many Christians take this advice to the extreme. In other words, life in the here and now becomes meaningless or even worse, an unpleasant and unwelcome distraction. Yes, the above verses are part of Scripture, but there are a few others that should cause us to temper our application of them.

After all, if this life is unnecessary, then why did God cause us to experience it? And, for better or worse, the book of Ecclesiastes is also considered to be part of the canon of Scripture. Tradition informs us that the wisest man who ever lived (King Solomon) mused: "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24 And: "Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

Hence, while those of us who are Christians should keep our eyes on the prize, we should also remember to stop and smell the roses in the here and now. It is not only OK to experience joy, love and happiness in this life - God expects us to do so! And finally, continuous misery and sorrow seem to me to be poor preparations for an eternity of bliss and happiness. In other words, if you've never experienced those emotions in the here and now, how will you be able to recognize them in the hereafter?