Heaven. How many of us have spent time pondering heaven? Is there a heaven? What must it be like? How do I get there? Do I want to get there? So many questions and yes, we do have some answers-- at least those who believe the Bible to be true have answers.
But there are still many unknowns, and sometimes the fear of the unknown causes us to pull back, or maybe even doubt. The reality of a place called Heaven is at times hard to grasp-- hard for our finite human minds to lay hold of, to claim as our inheritance and permanent home.
I have given more thought to heaven recently. Perhaps because I am getting older, and the longer one lives, the more reality strikes that our days are indeed numbered. Or perhaps because of all that is happening in our world, and we have to wonder if the "end" is truly near. Or maybe it is because the longer I live, the more friends and family I have waiting for me over there, and I miss them. The circle is not complete as long as some are here, and some are there.
There is no guarantee of a long life. Knowing this, we should all walk as if this day-- this hour-- could be our last to live on earth. There are no exceptions. Everyone dies at some point. All of us. Old, young, middle-aged, parents, singles, straights, gays, good, bad, rich, poor, black, white, yellow, political or not, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, satanist... ALL will die at their appointed time. We all have an expiration date stamped on us.
So when that time comes, are we going to find peace, or are we going to find fear beyond compare? Will we know what lies beyond? What is heaven really like?
I claim to have few answers; only those given to us in the Bible. Beyond those glimpses, I can only speculate and share what I believe may be what is beyond the gate of "death."
These are my musings, my thoughts. I don't present them as facts, just as things to ponder. One thing we do know with absolute certainty; what heaven holds for the believer will be beyond anything we are capable of thinking or grasping. My simple ideas will pale greatly to the reality of what heaven is truly like.
I have given more thought to heaven recently. Perhaps because I am getting older, and the longer one lives, the more reality strikes that our days are indeed numbered. Or perhaps because of all that is happening in our world, and we have to wonder if the "end" is truly near. Or maybe it is because the longer I live, the more friends and family I have waiting for me over there, and I miss them. The circle is not complete as long as some are here, and some are there.
There is no guarantee of a long life. Knowing this, we should all walk as if this day-- this hour-- could be our last to live on earth. There are no exceptions. Everyone dies at some point. All of us. Old, young, middle-aged, parents, singles, straights, gays, good, bad, rich, poor, black, white, yellow, political or not, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, satanist... ALL will die at their appointed time. We all have an expiration date stamped on us.
So when that time comes, are we going to find peace, or are we going to find fear beyond compare? Will we know what lies beyond? What is heaven really like?
I claim to have few answers; only those given to us in the Bible. Beyond those glimpses, I can only speculate and share what I believe may be what is beyond the gate of "death."
These are my musings, my thoughts. I don't present them as facts, just as things to ponder. One thing we do know with absolute certainty; what heaven holds for the believer will be beyond anything we are capable of thinking or grasping. My simple ideas will pale greatly to the reality of what heaven is truly like.
I don't know about you, but when I think long and hard about it, all fear drops to the wayside, and excitement fills my heart. Heaven IS real, and it will be amazing!
Beautiful and true words, Cheryl. I identify with all of them. I'm sure that all that you're going to share will be helpful, joyful, and encouraging to all of us who are living yet, but think about heaven. Please keep writing. It's your gift. Love, Ruth K.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. I appreciate your kind words always. Love to you!
DeleteI can relate to living longer and having more friends and family are waiting on the other side. I never understood when my mother-in-law would say she was ready to go. Why? There is so much family here who loves her! Kids, grandkids and great-grandkids were always over to see her to check on her and visit. But as I get older I understand. I miss my grandparents, my "old lady" aunts and "old man" uncles (I now realize how young 60s and 70s are!), I miss my mother-in-law, want to meet my father-in-law, visit with the "old timers" from GRF, and catch up with friends who have left us too soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to heaven and leaving the evils of this earth.
And I look forward to having YOU as my neighbor! :)