What Afterlife?

Russell D. Moore is dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He posted an article concerning the "afterlife" that is discussed among Christianity.

Perhaps we dread death less from fear than from boredom, thinking the life to come will be an endless postlude to where the action really happens. This is betrayed in how we speak about the "afterlife": it happens after we've lived our lives. The kingdom, then, is like a high-school reunion in which middle-aged people stand around and remember the "good old days." But Jesus doesn't promise an "afterlife." He promises us life—and that everlasting. Your eternity is no more about looking back to this span of time than your life now is about reflecting on kindergarten. The moment you burst through the mud above your grave, you will begin an exciting new mission—one you couldn't comprehend if someone told you. And those things that seem so important now—whether you're attractive or wealthy or famous or cancer-free—will be utterly irrelevant.

I might only be able to speak for myself, but I sometimes view my life as I would view a grueling and long time period in school, where I only look forward to the next break to rejuvenate and relax.  Heaven is my break, and life is all the hard work.  I believe this ideology is wrong, however.  When we are faced with trials, difficult circumstances, tragedies, letdowns, depressions, and heartaches, overcoming them is not where our abilities stop.  Through the subtle yet unimaginable power of the Holy Spirit, we can become "more than conquerers."  This is the mindset of the believer.  Our eternal job and life begins now, where the focus is on the bond between brother, sister, and the triune God.  We "have passed from death to life."  Check out the article, it is a solid read.