I Can Only Imagine...

This week's STLS topic is Heaven. I love that word. What a great, beautiful, breathy word. It sounds like a sigh to me...peaceful.

With all of our "searching" the past few weeks, I thought it might be nice to look up and out a bit. To focus on the prize, the goal, the grand finale. Heaven.

What do I think of when I think of going to Heaven? Well, one of my very first thoughts is, "I'll finally get to see Jesus face to face!" I'll be able to touch him. I'll be able to physically feel his embrace. I'll be able to see the love in his eyes. And I hope that my life will be worthy of a "Well done, my good and faithful daughter". And do you know what else I really look forward to? I want to experience God's laughter. I want to see and feel and hear Jesus laugh. Oh, to see the One I've been living for! Truly...I can only imagine.

And after I see him? Well...I have some questions I'd like answers to! I look forward to understanding all that I've wondered about. It will feel great to have no more "But what about..." thoughts in my head, but I'm sure the peace of understanding how all the pieces fit together will be pretty insignificant compared to being in the presence of God.

And then, of course, I'll want to see all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to rejoice with them. I want to see my grandparents. I want to meet my little brother, Luke, who never made it home to live with us. I want to visit with the saints of the Bible. I want to meet Mother Theresa, Corrie Ten Boom, and...I know this is strange...but Mr. Rogers. He just always seemed like such a neat man!

And then...oh, and THEN...I want to DO STUFF! All the stuff that I was to afraid to do...didn't have time to do...didn't have understanding to do...didn't have the money to do...all of it. I want to experience God and every beautiful thing he's ever created.

I keep thinking...I hope I have a magnificent singing voice when I'm made complete. Because, now? Not so much. Not at all, in fact! I want to sing my favorite worship songs in a full, beautiful voice that can somehow convey the depths of my love and awe for the Lord. I want my voice to do Him justice.

Wow, I almost have to stop thinking about this. It makes me feel so homesick!

If only it weren't for the whole dying thing. "Death" itself I'm not concerned about because I know there's real life waiting for me. But the process of dying? I'm not looking forward to that part.

A teacher of mine said something once - it really helps me to keep death and dying in perspective. It went something like:

A baby in his mother's womb is perfectly content to stay there forever. The baby has never known anything else. All he knows is that he's warm, fed, and safe. He's really not even aware of the fact that he's outgrowing his home, he's just happy where he is.

Every once in a while, he might hear something interesting through the walls of his home. Every once in a while, he might taste something different because of what his mom had for dinner. Every once in a while he feels a gentle rub on his back as his mother rests her hand on her belly. But the baby has no idea...no way of knowing or understanding...what is out there. In his infant state, he really can not even fathom another "there" to be!

And then, one day, his home closes in on him. He feels enormous pressure on his body. Given the shape of a new baby's head and the bruises that are often on his body, the process of being born is probably quite painful. The baby resists the pressing from the walls of his home, but it's no use. There is no place to go but in the direction he's being pushed.

And suddenly...he's in a different place all together. The bright lights, the loud sounds, the cold air, the milk in his belly, the embrace of his mother. They are all overwhelming and wonderful! Although he resisted being born, just look at what he would have missed if he had stayed where he was!

I'm sure you can see where this is going. Death, like birth, is a painful process. But what if we could live forever? What if all we could ever experience of life is here and now? This is only a poor reflection of the real thing.

I'd rather go through death so that I can truly live. I'm so thankful that God made a way for me to join him in Heaven!

If you are a believer in Jesus as your Christ and Lord, then I look forward to rejoicing with you in person some day!

And if you're not? Please know that God made a way for you as well. It doesn't matter what kind of life you've lived. He loves you. He wants you as his own. You can come to him right now...you don't have to fix a single thing in your life to approach him and say, "I've sinned. You died for me. Thank you. I need you. Be with me now and forever. Make me yours."

There's more information if you'd like. THIS is a good place to start.

Now it's your turn. I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say about Heaven...

Seek The Lord Sunday Participants

1. Home with Amy 2. Life as I know it

3. Lisa@blessedwithgrace 4. Lizzie @ A Whisper of Grace

Learn more about Seek The Lord Sunday here.

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