too good for this world

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Hebrews 11:32-12:13. Paul tells us that those who were martyred were "too good for this world."

That sounds like it's saying this world is bad. But it isn't. The Bible makes it clear in Genesis (and John) that God made the world good. Stuff is good. He likes it. He made it. So when Paul says that followers of Jesus are too good for the world, he's not saying the world is bad.

He's saying that we're designed for something more. He's saying that, as good as this world is, we're destined for something better. He's saying that this world gives us great and wonderful things - beautiful sights and gorgeous sounds and delicious tastes and wonderful fragrances. But we're not here for these things alone. We're here for far more. We are here for what's next.

God, thanks for giving us such a wonderful world. And for calling us out of it.