Heaven without God?

So, every other Wednesday I go to the Gathering at Providience Baptist Church. It is their singles ministry. And I have to say, I really like it! Ok, so I'm like that annoying Freshman at CRU who sneaks in right as they start worship and leaves right after it is over (no talking to people, no making eye contact with people, etc). But, I ENJOY it! The speaker is great and, well, I think that God is totally working there.

Well... last night was no different. Currently the series is Sex and The Glory of Jesus Christ. Now, why is he giving a talk on sex to a bunch of singles who aren't have sex anyway? Well, because it is totally relevant to the world we live in and because the greater picture is how sin can rule our life and how we should be living for Christ.

Last night's topic was Dealing with the Guilt of Sin. And all he, the main speaker, said was really good. But the part that was most convicting to me, and just made me stop and think was when he posed the following question to us:

If I got to heaven and had all my friends and family, there was no pain, and everything was perfect, would I be satisfied if there was no Christ?

1 Peter 3:18 says:
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,"

Christ didn't die to bring us to heaven. He died to bring us to God! The difference between heaven and hell is that God is in heaven and absent from hell.

How many times do I miss that point? Yes, I will see loved ones when I get to heaven, and that is great... but I will be with God! That is the point. That is what is so great. And it is our sin that separates us from God and it is through Christ's death on the cross that I can have a relationship with Him.

So... maybe I need to start asking myself that more often... if I got to heaven and God wasn't there would I be satisfied. My answer should always be no. But is it always no? What am I living for?

Times like these that I am thankful that God reminds me and convicts me... brings me back to Him.