In Heaven, There Is No Beer

Written by Justin Aboga

In a bar along Manila’s University Belt, several college students drink at a party, downing as much alcohol as their youthful bodies could take.

It’s finally time to head home, and their sober friends call up cabs.

"Alright, and off you go! Mr. Driver, send him straight home, won't you?" Ronald says, as he puts his drunk friend into the cab. "I think that's the last one..."

"Oh no, there's one more..." says the bartender. "Ronald, Jin's had one too many beers, hasn't he?"

They look over to Jin.

"I think I'll be fine..." Jin slurred, as he chugs another glass of beer.

"Okay then…here's your keys, and uh, drive safely.” the bartender murmured…

As Jin drives off, he slowly loses track of time, and his vision suddenly blurs.

His life flashes before his eyes as his car crashes and explodes into a million pieces. Moments later, he is greeted at the gates of Heaven by God Himself.

"God? Is that you?" Jin asks.

"Why, yes, Jin, my child." He responded. "Welcome to Heaven." “Heaven?! But, but I-”

“My child, you sped past a red light and crashed into a semi-truck!” “I did?”

“Yes, my child, and you took your own life in the process.” “Oh…okay.”

“Welcome to Heaven, Jin. Enjoy your stay.”

Jin then takes his time to explore Heaven and finds that there was a lot of happiness there. He found many old friends and relatives, all rejoicing in the presence of their Creator.

The time finally came for him to drink, and he was met by an angel, who asked him what he would like.

“Do you have beer?” he asked.

“No, sir, we don’t have any. If you have a problem with that, you can bring it up with God Himself, okay?”

Jin then headed slowly towards the palace, full of questions. He then entered God’s presence and was ushered in by his Creator.

"God, I have a question about the drink service here." "Yes, My child?"

"Why is there no beer in Heaven?"

"Good question, Jin."

"Didn't it say in the Scriptures that all pleasures are in your right hand?"

"It is true, but my child, you have no need for beer here. You have had too much to drink on Earth, and Heaven is best enjoyed sober."

Jin frowns with a pang of regret. "But, God, why?!"

"The pleasure of beer is temporary, My child. You need to see that there are better, eternal pleasures here."

Jin retreated, breaking like a dam, as he realised that the adage was true,