When Good Things will give way for the Best Thing

I read in a devotional that when we get to heaven, all "hurting, hoping, and helping will cease." I was on board through the word hurting - that is a rather well-known promise of heaven we all cling to, isn't it? But hoping and helping both took me by surprise. Aren't they good things? Isn't heaven full of good things?

It didn't take too long (just a conversation with Amanda) before I could see how hoping would cease. If heaven truly is full of every good thing, then all our dreams and hopes will be met. If they aren't, then those hopes probably weren't good for us, and being in the presence of Jesus will dissipate them. What we will be left with is an abundance of fulfilled satisfaction and an end to any lack; there will be nothing left to hope for.

It took me a bit longer to unpack the "helping will cease" part. I'm a 2 on the Enneagram, but you don't have to necessarily know what that means if you know me. I like helping people. In fact, I would even say I live to help people. Little else fills me with the contentment of a job well done or a purpose lived out than when people need me and I'm able to show up for them. I need to help people. It's a part of my identity, which I suppose gets to the not-so-good side of helping rather quickly.

Anything that consumes my identity other than Jesus will have to cease when I reach heaven. Even those things that are good here on earth (though I'd argue almost everything can be twisted and become a mixed bag), they will all pale in comparison to the best thing. Whether a spirit of helpfulness or a daring leadership quality or a contemplative shyness, the very best of ourselves will reach the end of the page, be rolled up, and set as a jewel in the crown of our King who will impart perfection onto us. Not so say any of the qualities I mentioned are pointless in the mean time, but I'm challenged by the realization that even the good things I hang my identity on will fade in the mist around the throne of God. I can't wait!

Looking toward that future glory with my nephew. :-)