5 Things We Can No Longer Do In Heaven

Why our time here on earth is precious

Have you ever wondered what our life on heaven could look like?

As Christians, we all have an idea about the kind of happiness that only heaven could provide.

In heaven, we will no longer get sick. No one would ever grow old and die. In heaven also, we’d see God face to face and never fear anymore that we’d ever be apart from Him.

But have you also wondered about the things we can no longer do in heaven?

I am not talking about the many worldly pleasures we can find on earth. These are usually the things we first learn to let go of when started to follow Christ and focus on heavenly things instead.

What I’m talking about are some good things that only this life can possibly give us.

Here are five things we can no longer do in heaven:

1. Get married

Jesus made in very clear in this Bible passage:

“You are misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven.” - Matthew 22:29-30 (NABRE)

This life is our opportunity to marry and to experience having a spouse. If you have a calling for this, thank God for this blessing and do all you can to take care of your beloved one. In heaven, our human relationships would never be the same.

2. Have children

This one is a consequence of the above. If we can no longer marry in heaven, it follows that we can no longer have children as well.

While some of us may have very difficult challenges as parents, let us make full use of this opportunity to have children and raise them in a Godly way.

3. Grow in virtue and love

The saints teach us that this life is our only opportunity to grow in holiness.

While we are still pilgrims in this valley of tears, let us take the chance to grow in virtue and the love of God. In heaven, while we can no longer sin, we can no longer grow like we could here on earth.

“As long as we live, the love of God grows in us. Until we die, we ought to strive for the love of God.” - St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1191)

“I am giving you a share in those sufferings because of My special love for you and in view of the high degree of holiness I am intending for you in heaven. A suffering soul is closest to My heart.” – Jesus to St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1487)

4. Sacrifice something for others

In heaven, we no longer have to make any sacrifice for other people. How can we sacrifice anything if we can no longer experience any pain or discomfort in heaven?

And yet to suffer out of love for someone is one of the greatest opportunities given to us here on earth.

It is never easy. But here, we can prove the depths of our love for our neighbor. Here, we can love to such an extent that we could never love elsewhere, even in heaven.

"The angels envy us one thing: that they cannot suffer for God. Only pain allows the soul to say with certainty: 'My God, look how much I love You!'"—Padre Pio

5. Offer all your sufferings to God

Have you ever reflected upon the passion and death of Jesus Christ that you felt how much He truly loved you so? Have you ever loved Him so much that you wanted to suffer something for Him, too?

Here is our chance to do that. Here on earth, we have many opportunities to offer something to God.

We can offer Him our little discomforts and annoyances. We can offer our daily work. We can offer Him our lives in acts of martyrdom.

“How great and solemn is the time that gives us the chance to gather merits for eternal heaven! I understand how the saints made use of it.”
– St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1373)

The Importance of Our Life on Earth

While we all want to focus our gaze up towards heaven, we must never lose sight of the good things God has reserved for us here on earth.

Our time here is precious. Here, we can love each other in such a way that we can no longer love each other again, even in heaven.

Let us face each suffering with the thought that such is also an opportunity given to us so that we may grow in virtue and in love.

Even the angels would envy us for that if they were capable of it.

With our gazed fixed upon heaven, let us do all we can with the precious time God is giving us to live here on earth.

“For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, [for] that is far better. Yet that I remain [in] the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me when I come to you again.” - Philippians 1:21-26 (NABRE)

"If the angels were capable of envy, they would envy us two things: one is receiving Holy Communion and the other is suffering"
– St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul, 1804)

What Should You Look Forward To In Heaven?

In our spiritual walk, we can sometimes forget what we are looking forward to. Learn more about your eternal home in heaven. (Download the eBook - CLICK HERE)