As I look back over the last few months, I can hardly believe all that has happened.  Grant has traded Earth, for Heaven, leaving us here to figure out life without him.  A very close immediate family member tried to commit suicide.  Our other son was cut from his beloved football team, and his dreams of playing college ball are growing dim.  Our daughter suffered an injury to her arm and may lose her hard earned position on a volleyball team she has been a part of for 3 years. And a few days ago, there was another death very close and dear to our family.

Each of these events have made me long for Heaven! In fact, I have thought more about Heaven in the last 3 months, than I have the rest of my Christian walk combined.  I find myself thinking about it daily. When sadness comes, I think, “but then there’s Heaven.” When I miss Grant so much, tears sting my eyes, and the heart aches, I find myself saying, “but Heaven’s coming.” In all of the moments that bring pain, or discontentment, hardship, feelings of discouragement or anger, I remind myself, “but then there’s Heaven.”

And what’s to come in Heaven? Besides the fact that it’s eternal paradise with our Savior! In the words of Randy Alcorn, a Biblical scholar who has written volumes on this subject, has this to say. Just a taste of what’s to come…

“No death. No suffering. No funeral homes. No abortion clinics or psychiatric wards or mental illness. No rape, missing children, or drug rehabilitation centers. No bigotry, muggings or killings. No sorrow, or depression, or economic downturns. No wars, no unemployment. No anguish over failure, no more miscommunications. No con men, no locks, no death, no mourning. No pain. No boredom.  No arthritis, no handicaps, no cancer, no taxes, no bills, no computer crashes, no weeds, no bombs, no drunkenness, no traffic jams nor accidents. No septic back ups. No unwanted emails. No life changing phone calls. Close friendships but no cliques. Laughter but no put downs. Intimacy without immorality. No hidden agendas, no back room deals, no betrays. Mealtimes full of stories, laughter, and joy without fear of insensitivity, inappropriate behavior, anger, gossip, lust, jealousy, hurt feelings or anything that eclipses joy! That will be Heaven.”

Thinking about Heaven as much as I do, is by no means a death wish. Quite the opposite. It’s a desire, a craving, an anticipation of real life, eternal life, the life that truly matters. These frequent thoughts of Heaven increase the love I have for my Savior and put this life into perspective. Having a keen, constant awareness that this is not all there is helps me live like I’m on borrowed time, because I am. It causes me to love like there’s no tomorrow, because there might not be. Thinking on Heaven brings comfort, assurance, sustains me and empowers me to live a life for God. And it stirs me to devote my life to things that will matter in Heaven.

Heaven. A place where we will experience the joy of Christ’s presence in a place so wonderful He calls it paradise. That is the promise of Jesus. Count on it and think on it in a way that changes the way you live and love here!