The Burden In Heaven

 "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." 2 Corinthians 5: 4.

       "Not for that we would be unclothed."  I understand Paul to mean ''not that we would be unclothed of our burdens in the future world." And this is a very strange saying. Paul is comparing earth with heaven. He says, '' In this tabernacle we groan, being burdened." We expect him to add, "when we get to heaven we shall make up for it by a life of ease." On the contrary, he says the advantage of heaven will be that we shall be able to hear our burdens, '' mortality shall be swallowed up of life." The burden which is a hindrance here will cease to be a hindrance there. Why does not Paul rather want to get rid of it altogether - to be unclothed of it? Because he sees a use for it yonder. I remember when I was minister of Innellan attending the last hours of a little deformed girl. She had been a lifelong invalid. She had borne years of pain with the most extraordinary patience. I asked her, in wonder, how she could bear so bravely. I expected her to answer, "I weep now; I shall laugh yet" - '' I go on foot now; I shall have a carriage yet " - " I have poor raiment now; I shall wear diamonds yet." Instead of that, she said, "O sir! you know I am training to be a ministering spirit." That little girl had seen the bridal of the earth and sky - the marriage supper of the Lamb.

       For indeed, my soul, what thou needest is not an unclothing of thy burden; it is that thy burden should be swallowed up in the life of love. Why has thy Father given thee a burden here? To make thee long for the beauty of heaven? A burden is a bad preparation for beauty. If Heaven is exclusively a place of flowers, thou shouldst be in the garden now. Why art thou not now in the garden? It is because thou art not training for a garden. Thou art training to be a ministering spirit. That is why God does not unclothe thee of thy heavy garments. The heavy garments are the fashion up yonder - only, they no longer oppress. God would not diminish thy load; He would strengthen thine arm. There will be more weights to carry in heaven than on earth. Wouldst thou enter into the joy of thy Lord? The joy of thy Lord is burden-bearing. He began by feeling the heaviness of the vesture; but love made it a garment of praise; and now His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Thou shalt not need to be divested of thy care when thou shalt enter into the joy, into the sympathy, of Jesus.