To whom shall we go?

John 6 is a loaded chapter. There is a ton of information - from Jesus walking on water, to the feeding of the five thousand, to the claim to be the bred of life. But there is an interesting passage in there that has always fascinated me.
In today's world, there is a great deal of communication via the written word. Newspapers, email, facebook, twitter (still not really sure what that is) and of course - the blog. The problem with the written word is that it comes without expression or tone.
In this passage, I wish I could have been there in person:

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

What was Peter saying? I hear exasperation in his voice. There is no other place to go...

It is not easy being a disciple of Christ. It is not health and wealth, but it can be persecution and trials. The way of the cross is a difficult one. It is long, and often painful. Loved ones and family members question your choices. You can lose standing in the workplace or in social settings. So why press on?
First, I press on because - as Peter realized, there was no other way. While the Via Delorosa is a way of suffering, I am still ruined for any other.
Second, I press on because this is the only way to eternal life. My rewards, my ultimate finish line, my place of recognition is not here.

So what does this passage call me to do?
- I will meditate on heaven and be reminded of all that waits for me. Most of all, I will remember that I await the great wedding of Christ to his church - to me!
- I will remember that I am not home yet, and that what awaits me pales in comparison to anything that I am denied here.

Encourage others - what do you think of when you think of heaven? Leave a comment.