Encouragement

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Heaven…the word brings many pictures to mind. As a child going to Sunday School every week, I envisioned a great open city with huge mansions, golden streets and a great crystal clear river coursing down the center. By the side of the river would this great tree, the tree of life from the Garden of Eden. The mansions would be full of riches and everywhere there would be light and beauty. Surprisingly, I visualized an empty city

By the time I reached my mid teens, a number of my loved ones had died and passed into the presence of God. I realized that there would be people I knew when I reached the other side of the river. My Aunt Kailyn, my friends Tommy Kirkhope and Dottie Hefty would all be there in their glorified bodies. The fact that God would be there was always a fact I had never given much thought. I knew He would be there and there would be a reward waiting for me, but I did not give it much thought beyond the basic concept.

Since then, I have begun to realize that none of the things that I had put so much emphasis on are truly important. Maybe it is a sign of growth, but Heaven is no longer special because of the riches, mansions or the beauty. I am still eager to meet again those who have gone on before me, but that is no longer the longing of my heart.

My heart now cries out for the constant communion with my God and Savior. I long for the freedom from sin and the pain that it causes Him, me, and others in my life. The struggle will be over then, thank the Lord. I desire the greatest reward of God’s blessing: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I am sure I am not worthy of this, but I do know I desire it. I will continue by His grace to strive toward it until I can hopefully say as Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Please pray with me in this endeavor as I will pray for you. God is not finished with us yet.

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