We attempt to make a heaven out of earth, but earth could never be heaven. There is sickness and suffering in our perishable bodies, but the resurrection of our bodies will be glorious and victorious.

Now, our bodies are perishable and decaying in dishonour, then they will be imperishable and raised in honour. We will be remade in the image of Christ, and restored to a Greater Eden, a New Heaven and New Earth. The paralysed will run, babies who died will be reborn fully formed. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the first-fruits of a new harvest, to whom and through whom we will be restored and reconciled.

Let us put our hope in Christ, be steadfast in our faith, enduring through suffering, and knowing that our true life is not here, but in heaven. We trust in the Lord and that our labour in making Jesus known is not in vain. The tomb is still empty, our labour is not in vain. As C.T Studd says: ‘Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last’.