If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.~ C.S. Lewis
Earth breaks up, time drops away,
In flows heaven, with its new day.
~ Robert Browning (1812-1889)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.
~Philippians 3:20-21
Life get’s a little wistful sometimes. Even in the midst of beautiful days; days abundant with His work in our lives – we know it. Something is not complete. There is this longing. It’s like all the expectant moments of our lives (birthdays, Christmas, summer camps, graduations, babies, wedding days and the like) all rolled into one. Nothing is truly wrong. We just yearn.
As we yield to the Holy Spirit in our lives, we learn that heaven is not a destination. It is now. It is Jesus. It is righteousness and joy and peace in Him. Yet even so, we know that things will one day be unimaginably better.
Co-laborers in The Kingdom sometimes catch each other’s eyes and each one’s spirit resonates with the sparkle in the other’s. This seems especially true in those senior saints close to finishing the race set before them. They live a Life now saturated in Hope. His mercies have been new every morning for years – even decades – and there is no reason to believe that things need go any other way than according to His plan. Here especially, anticipation builds though.
When once our heav’nly-guided soul shall climb,
Then all this earthly grossness quit,
Attir’d with stars, we shall forever sit,
Triumphing over death and chance and thee, O Time.
~John Milton (1608-1674)
These saints know beyond a shadow of a doubt the place to which Christ will draw us is more real than the place we now inhabit. Eternity flows in their spirits as it will flow among the thrones from which they will reign with their King.
Some have had visions. They have looked back towards this life from a place deep in eternity. In that place is only the most astounding beauty, quiet, strength and peace. They look back almost quizzically, wondering why they ever worried. How could they have? They always had Him.
Even on wistful days though, this we know. Jesus Loves us right here and right now. All is now – and will ever be – well with our souls.
Heaven is that one ever expanding and clarifying Infinite moment with Him. An eternity of eternities flowing together, ever filling with worship and purpose and hope and peace and Him. Only Him would be astoundingly more than enough! And it is more. Surely it is like God to give us a hope that is beyond infinitely Good.
Being one of those "long time/senior" followers, couldn't agree with this more. Heaven grows dearer every day and even dearere each time HE calls a loved one Home – but most dear of all is knowing we will be in His presence face-to-face! Forever!