“They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:16-17)  We talk a good deal about how we are shaped by our past: our family of origin, the schools we attended, etc.  But as Christians, we may also be shaped by our future.  This passage from Revelation speaks to us about the gathering of the saints in heaven which we are celebrating this weekend.  The question for us is this: are we living with that future in mind?  Do we have hope that a time will come in which we find complete comfort?  Do we live today anticipating the end of hunger and thirst and homelessness?  One important way to do that, of course, is to give to and care for the hungry, thirsty and homeless today.  A further question for us, do we live today anticipating the end of Covid and racial strife?  We might as well start living today in a way that will be consistent with tomorrow.  We might as well live today in a way which acknowledges that the Lamb is the center of our lives.  So how are you and I going to do that?  How will you and I bear a consistent witness with those who now see perfectly; anticipating the day when all tears are past?  Have a great week.