Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Heaven

Melissa and I went out for late-night coffee last night, and as often happens when it's just the two of us, we delved into some pretty deep subjects. One of the things we talked about was Heaven. What will it be like? I cannot imagine life on this earth without Darren. I mean, I can not IMAGINE it. I know I could survive it, but I can't imagine HOW I would. He is part of me, and I him. We are one. Likewise, I can't imagine living for all eternity without him. I don't want to! Will we be husband and wife in Heaven? Jesus says no. Matthew 22:30: For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. I don't like that answer.

Tonight at church, we talked about what we think Heaven will be like. It was interesting to hear the different viewpoints from the young adults that Darren and I teach. Shondra said she thinks it will be constant blue skies with puffy clouds. Mico said he thinks about mansions and fancy cars. I wondered if Heaven won't be different for all of us. For me, it might be gently rolling hills against a glorious backdrop of snow-capped mountains, accompanied by the serenade of cascading water. For you, it might a tropical island, with sandy white beaches and crystal clear water. For someone else, it might be streets of gold and diamonds that grow on trees. Maybe Heaven is each person's dream of what Heaven is.

I'm only sure of this:
that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14: 2-3)

he promises that it'll be better than I can imagine. "He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all I ask or imagine..." (Ephesians 3:20)

God will be with me. "Now God's presence is with people, and he will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God..." (Revelation 21:3)

I'm also sure that I won't feel stressed because I'm 5 days behind a job deadline.
I won't get headaches when I go without Diet Vanilla Coke for a day or two.
When I DO enjoy a Diet Vanilla Coke, the styrofoam cup won't split down the side and have to be tossed out the window onto an unsuspecting morotist with his window rolled down.
The boys won't miss the target when they "go potty".
I won't be fat.
My house won't require constant maintenance.
I'll never have to pump gas.
I won't sweat like a pig.
I won't say stupid things in my haste to say something helpful.

But mostly, I'm sure that I will be with God. The few times in my life when I've truly, truly felt his presence.... those times were AWEsome. MINDnumbing. I cannot describe how I felt. To think that I will have that feeling forever and ever.... wow. That's enough. That's enough.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all the sweet thoughts on Heaven. It was fun to see what your class said! Heaven with a lot of "bling bling" for Mico. Like you, I will take the mountains or the ocean without sharks as long as those I love are beside me. Afterall, they are my piece of Heaven here on earth. I guess we will just have to wait and see about all that but I do appreciate all the scriptures that give us a small peek at Heaven. I enjoyed our coffee time and praise God for giving us both a new day. Love you, Melissa

Nancy D. said...

I KNOW heaven will be different for each of us. Cause my sister's heaven will have only chocolate to eat. Chocolate covered chocolates.

That would be my hell. Well, that and a few other things. But my sister's heaven would be my hell.... so they've gotta be different.

Elaine said...

That split styrofoam cup was likely that poor motorist's version of hell as it splattered all over him at 75 mph on I-35. Dang, that was funny.

eZeR. said...

this is really inspiring! ;)

i'm glad i came across your blog.. ;)