Do you think of Heaven? (35)

It was very early in my life that I began to create images of what heaven would be like. Probably right after I asked Jesus into my life, nearly 5 years old, I remember thinking about heaven. I believe and I will have eternal life with Jesus. I didn’t really understand it but it still excited me. It’s kind of like hearing about Disneyland for the first time, not really catching the details, but knowing that it’s a very special place. It’s happy.

My image of heaven was shifted not less than 2 years later. My brother, Caleb, was taken home to be with the Lord in March 1986. I was 6 years old. He was born December 26 and lived a very short life here on earth, only 2 ½ months. While I had never experienced loss and still didn’t know how to react, I could see it plainly in my mother’s eyes. She was torn, broken, but surprisingly not in despair. This is when the next image came to me. She explained that he wasn’t in pain and that he was with Jesus, running, playing, in a beautiful place. She showed how despite this terrible loss, she believed and had a sure hope that we would see him again in heaven. Even at his gravesite, I vividly remember my mother singing Praise the Lord. What a testimony to her faith.

Because of her faith I believed what she said, but the pain was still strong here on earth. Why was it that when you enter heaven all pain is shattered but on earth it feels like it’s increased? Reading Isaish 35, the writer gives not only a bold picture of heaven but one of upmost redemption. God brings everything to Him and makes everything perfect. I had to read this a few times, but after each time I read it, it appealed to me more and more, increasing my desire to be there, longing to see God and my loved ones who have gone there before me.

May your faith not only not be shaken when a trial like death of a loved one passes by you, but may we stand strong in full confidence of our faith of what Jesus has promised us in eternity. “Run the race with perseverance” will be on my mind as we head out for Melissa’s 25k. Run strong despite what the enemy throws at you because He is more powerful and ultimately faithful to complete His work in and with you.

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,

and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

and streams in the desert.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,

the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,

grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness.

The unclean will not journey on it;

it will be for those who walk in that Way;

wicked fools will not go about on it.[a]

9 No lion will be there,

nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 35:5-10

35 days!