My Hope

Colossians 3:1-4 (The Message) ~ So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

I don’t know about you, but I have been feeling overwhelmed by the evil that I see on a daily basis these days. There is an oppressive feeling of hopelessness everywhere I turn. As I was focusing on the absolute despair that is all around me, God brought this scripture to mind. After I contemplated this scripture for a moment, I started to think about heaven and what it was going to be like. Whenever I daydream about heaven, a memory inevitable finds its way into my thoughts. Several years ago, we were on a mission trip on the island of Carti Mulatupu in Kuna Yala. The last night of the trip, we were having dinner in the cinder block church around a makeshift table with our team, the pastor, and his leaders. After the meal, we all had commented that we wished there was more to eat because we were still hungry. My friend, Clara, went into the kitchen and brought back all the snacks we had left over. She said she had raised some eyebrows of the ladies that had prepared our meal. As we shared the cheese balls and granola bars, I had a glimpse of glory. I imagined this dinner table in eternity. The joy, the laughter, the feeling that these people, in the middle of the Caribbean, were my family. We were all one. There were three languages being spoken at the table, but the language that we all shared was the love of Christ.

As I scroll past one awful news story after another, I am reminded that this is not my home. My home is much more glorious and peaceful than my finite, human mind can comprehend.

What will it be like when I see His face?

● All my failings will melt away.

● Every ounce of fear and doubt will be extinguished.

● All my heartaches will be healed.

● All my physical defects will be made perfect.

● I will see the God of the universe in the flesh.

● I will touch the skin of the One who’s skin was pierced on Calvary.

● I will smell the fragrance of the One who overcame sin on my behalf.

● I will be held in the arms that were stretched out on a tree that became the bridge to my everlasting life.

● I will hear the voice that spoke the universe into existence.

● I will have dinner with the Lion of Judah.

● I will walk next to the man from Galilee, that shook the very foundation of this world.

● I will be welcomed to glory by the Lord that went to hell to gain my freedom.

● I will gaze upon the face that wore the crown of thorns for me.

● I will talk to my Lord and Savior as easily as I talk to a friend in a grocery store.

● I will feel the unimaginable, pure joy of God’s existence.

● He will be overwhelmed with joy at our reunion.

● He will run faster to me than I will run to Him.

● He will show me off to His Father as a proud parent would to a crowd saying, “This is my girl!”

● He will hand me a crown of glory which I will gladly lay at His feet.

● He will take my hand in His and say, “My child, for this day I have longed and for eternity I will celebrate with you.”

● He will show off with pride the place He has prepared for me.

● He will walk me through each room. He will show me every tiny, detailed treasure He handpicked for me in my home in glory.

● We will laugh over the adventures we walked through on Earth.

● We will cry over the missed opportunities, the blessings lost, and the souls I ignored.

● We will sit in awe at the beauty of God’s creation.

● We will laugh again at the overwhelming realization that we will be together for all eternity.

● It will be too marvelous for my eyes to comprehend.

● It will take my breath away, not only for the physical beauty, but for the spiritual beauty of God’s presence.

● It will forever be a surprise to my soul each time my eyes fall upon the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

● It will be my home, my sanctuary, my resting place for all eternity.

How refreshing it is for my soul to imagine what my future holds. What peace fills my spirit to be reminded what is being prepared for me. Oh, the joy that overwhelms me when I think about the moment my Jesus will come for me!! That is what turns my sorrow into Joy. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!