We live in a world that is rushed, hurried and stressful. Many times this is increased when we try to plan ahead only to find out when we arrive somewhere that our plans are worthless because everyone else had the same idea. The flight, hotel, restaurant, event, concert, movie, or any other number of events, activities, or accommodations that we planed for are over booked and we are left frustrated and stressed.

Over booking can be caused by several different factors, but it all comes down to one simple thing - there is less room or capacity then demand. In business high demand is good, but if you continue to ignore the needs of the customer then demand will drop, which will eliminate the overbooking problem, but may eliminate your business or service in the process. That is why you see businesses offering some perk or benefit for your understanding, be it free appetizers, or a free ticket. Over booking is motivated by the supplier wanting to maximize their cost, but it also occurs because of the inconsistency and undependability of the public who reserve and then do not show up.

The crux of this situation comes down to human nature. It is human nature for the supplier to want to maximize profit and minimize cost, to do that they book more then capacity assuming that some will not show up, and if most do show up then they can try to make up for any hard feelings with a token of appreciation for understanding. It is also human nature for the consumer to make a reservation and then not go or change their mind without telling anyone else of their plans. Both parties are selfish. More blame probably lies on the supplier side, but if consumers always showed up when they reserved a place then suppliers would have to end the practice.

I make these points to say that promises made by humans are usually really closer to our best intentions if nothing else changes. This is not true however about God. God’s promises are true, just and right. They do not vary, change and He always keeps His words. Jesus deals directly with God’s promises and provision in John 14:

John 14:1(NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

John 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

John 14:8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

John 14:9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

In John 14:2, Jesus the only son of God promises us that heaven will not be over booked. Obviously Jesus knows what heaven in like, so when He says there are many rooms, dwelling places, mansions (which ever your favorite translation says), then He knows what He is talking about. Jesus is promising us that there is room for us in heaven, and that promise is not from a man, but from God. Then He continues by promising us that He is going there to prepare for our arrival and to guarantee that we are cared for before we arrive and while we are there. That is something we can bank on, trust and depend on forever.

After assuring His disciples, and us, that there is room and provision in heaven, Jesus begin to discuss how those that have a place in heaven will live, and assures us again of His divinity and His desire to both honor the Father and care for us. By both direct explanation and answers to questions ask by His disciples Jesus explains how and why we should live a life for Christ. Jesus promises us a future and then tells us how we should act if we want the future He has for us. This is not salvation by works though, for He is clear that it is believing in Him and obeying His commands that allow the Father, Son and Spirit to abide with us and work through us. Jesus is calling us to no longer have the human standard of my word is good as long as nothing changes, He is calling us to a heavenly standard of my word is a bond because it is backed by a life that is filled with Christ.

Between the promise of God, and the call to a higher standard of living the Bible explains, we are shown why heaven is real and will not be over booked. Jesus knew that we would want to be assured of our place and that we would want a guide to live by, that is why God sent the Holy Spirit back to ministry and guide us until Jesus’s return, and why we have the Bible as a guide for living a Christian life. Based on Jesus’s promise we no longer have to worry about our reservation in heaven, all we have to worry about is how to best live for Christ until we are called to eternity. It is wonderful that we no longer have to worry about our eternity, that is a blessing from God that allows us freedom to live, not a life of worry and concern. Take this blessing and share it’s benefit, freedom to live, with the world. Do that and you will live the life Jesus desired for you.