What To Do

And she looked forward to heaven as a place where clothes did not get dirty and where food did not have to be cooked and dishes washed. Privately there were some things in heaven of which she did not quite approve. There was too much singing, and she didn't see how even the Elect could survive very long the celestial laziness which was promised. She would find something to do in heaven. There must be something to take up one's time - - some clouds to darn, some weary wings to rub with liniment. Maybe the collars of the robes needed turning now and then, and when you come right down to it, she couldn't believe that even In heaven there would not be cobwebs in some corner to be knocked down with a cloth-covered broom.

--East of Eden, John Steinbeck 

Right? I've been thinking of these things myself. There must be something to take up ones time, to break up the celestial laziness (otherwise known as boredom, I suppose). What about reading, as I've mentioned before? What is life, or death, without reading? How will we while away the eons of eternity? And what about eating? Will there be food to eat, or the need of food? I have always imagined not, but come to think of it now, the Lord himself ate while clothed with the resurrection body. He fried fish for the disciples and ate with them by the fire. And he broke bread with the men he met on the road to Emmaus. This, as theorized by many theologians, was to demonstrate to people that he was not a ghost or an ephemeral spirit. Touch the wounds in my hands, he told Thomas; put your hand into my side where the spear pierced. So we have this body, this resurrection body, and surely something must be done with it. We must be put to tasks, else we may as well be in the grave. What is the nature of these eternal occupations? About that, we know nothing - - other than this: that No eye seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.