Laying in bed expecting sleep to come, and realizing that the odds are against me thanks to that big cup of tea I drank at 4:30, I crawl out from beneath my warm covers to let the barking dog in . . . a good excuse to write and get these thoughts out of my head.
The thoughts of being content in God, and God alone. I know I am supposed to be, and I long to be, but too often I catch myself, again, looking here and now for that contentment.
I see it running rampant in my children, too, with the Christmas season approaching. For as much as we think we are not training them up to seek their treasures here, they still have their own lists of what they hope will ultimately make them happy: dolls and electronic gadgets and remote control trucks to replace the one that survived less than twenty-four hours from last week. Always more, always longing for something else. Maybe the lists are so long because, deep down, we all hope the "next one" will fulfill the ultimate satisfaction we seek on some level; the ultimate satisfaction that is only found in Jesus Christ when He reigns.
I have been pondering heaven again lately. First, the fact that Trent is there. Just that thought alone makes me pause. I have to stop what I'm doing, literally, and can't even go beyond that realization sometimes. He's there. My son, my Trent, is in heaven. He's still Trent, and he's in heaven, knowing what I can't begin to imagine, knowing what Jesus looks like, knowing God spirit to spirit, in heaven. He made it, he's there.
What I have been pondering, after I get over that fact, is that even in heaven our souls are incomplete. Better, by far, with no sin and being in the presence of your Savior, but still incomplete. As our pastor pointed out, and as I read in Revelation, the saints are crying out "How long, Oh Lord?" We were created to be complete with both soul and body: there are no bodies in heaven for those who have died. They, too, are waiting for Jesus to return to make all things right again; including receiving their resurrected bodies. "How long, Oh Lord?" we cry with them as we wait for Him, too.
In the past nine months I can hardly get my thoughts off of heaven and God. One foot here, one foot there; loving my children here, loving my children there. Trusting God for all of it. And the sweet Word of God, oh, the sweet Word. I feel the need to marinate in it, to soak it up by my whole being. It is powerful, and convicting, and life changing.
Eternity. Just imagine: eternity. There is no end to that word. There is an end to our lives here, but not to eternity. We put so much stock into this life, so much is invested here, when really, we should be investing there. What would it look like if Christians lived with eternity constantly on their minds? If we lived wondering, even expecting, what if today was the day we would enter that eternity, and see our God?
I feel like I am just waiting . . . waiting for eternity, or for Jesus to come back and make it all Right.
2 comments:
The way things are going in our World, you can see the prophecy of end times clearly...I find myself not wanting to make too many plans. Like, well, will I even be here then...or, we can't do that, Jesus will be here by then. I know we are supposed to keep "living" until then, but I too feel at a standstill with my long term planning. An urgency to tell others of what God means to me and what he can do for them. I find most people I approach already "know" God. But, I wonder if He knows them. I often wonder, scripture says, we will stand before Him - many will say, I did this in your name or that, and He will say depart from me I knew you not. That scares me. I want Him to know me - really know me. To really know your husband, you spend time with him; to really know your friend, you spend time with her. I desire to have my relationship with Jesus that close. You seem to have such a sweet relationship with Him. I know when Anna was in treatment, in the time of need - I was so "in tune" with Him. I needed Him so much more then. I still need Him, but could spend more time. Let's pray that all the bloggers we know, myself included, build a stonger relationship with Him in this next year. Not just blessings...more from Ringle.
He will, but not soon enough for us impatient souls. ;-)
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