We worry about the child who wants to grow up too fast and thinks he can handle anything, but we also fret about the child who seems fearful of the future and is overly content to stay home. We had one of each. Julie, who loved being a kid and went to Disney World on her honeymoon, needed encouragement to make her own decisions and to get out and go. Nick needs encouragement to pace himself and to enjoy being a kid as long as possible. For Julie, adulthood was intimidating. For Nick, adulthood is a goal to be reached as quickly as possible.
If we knew more about heaven, do you think we'd be in a bigger hurry to get there? Has it ever bothered you that the Bible doesn't mention any of the people Jesus raised from the dead after they came back to life on this earth? Not a word is recorded about the Widow of Nain's son, Jairus' daughter, or Lazarus. After all, how does one resume life as we know it after hearing heaven's choir practice or glancing toward the Light on heaven's throne? Something tells me we'd have a hard time putting two intelligent words together. I'm guessing Lazarus walked around in a daze wondering why Martha worried about dinner. It must have taken every ounce of his energy and effort to concentrate when his questioning neighbors and concerned sisters came to stare at him. I picture Mary, curious and maybe a little jealous of his new knowledge, nudging Lazarus on as they walked in the street because he stopped for the hundredth time to stare wistfully off into space. He may have even seemed unconcerned or hardhearted when it came to other people's illnesses or death, wishing he could trade places with them. All of this is pure speculation, of course, but I've often wondered why God hasn't given more believers a glimpse through heaven's gates to pump up our faith and witness. Maybe it's because He knows our human minds would be blown away by the picture of eternity, our hearts would burst with the His Love, and our mouths would be silenced by His goodness.
Father, we're such peons who worry about petty things sometimes but You've placed us here on earth rather than bringing us home to Yourself. So, while we're here, help us find the balance between enjoying life here on earth and longing to be with You in heaven. Guide our hearts to care that others go with us. Draw others to Yourself through our loving, winning ways. Lead us to seek Your Face and let the awe of Your Love satisfy our souls for now.
In the name of Jesus who knew heaven was worth any pain on earth
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness.'" Jeremiah 31:3
"The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."Lamentations 3:25-26
Paul didn't die (more than once) but he had a glimpse of glory. "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) and he also said, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 2 Cor. 2:9
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