This is Max Locato. Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary.

Suffering, loneliness, disease, holocausts, martyrdom, hurricanes, earthquakes, monsoons.

If we assume this world exists just for pre-grave happiness,

these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? And might these

challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us to equip us for the world to come. The Apostle Paul would think so. He wrote in

2 Corinthians 417, these little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.

Eternal glory.

Boy, I'd like a large cup of that, wouldn't you?

Go ahead and request it.

The Barista is brewing that cup for you.

And everything in this life is preparing you for the next.