This was yesterday morning...yep, take warning, alright, because the weather turned, well, let's just call it "unwelcome." Rain, cold, dreary, and now sleet. Geez.
It's funny, because at the same time I enjoyed the brilliant red sunrise, I also noticed the first daffodils of the season. Yay! Take heart--spring's going to get here...eventually. We live on a spectacularly beautiful but imperfect planet, don't we? If this earth could be so breathtaking, can you imagine heaven?
Ever since we heard the news late saturday of a wonderful man, Lacy, in our church who suddenly went home--truly home--to be with the Lord, heaven's been on my mind. But shouldn't it always be?
I just read these words by Charles Spurgeon: "...hold your friends lovingly but be ready to yield them to Jesus. Don't hold them back from the One to whom they belong. When they are sick, fast and pray. But when they are departed, do much as King David did, who washed his face and ate and drank. You will go to them; they cannot return to you. Comfort yourselves with the double thought of their joy in Christ and Christ's joy in them. Add the triple thought of the Father's joy in Christ and in them....Let no doubt intervene; let no gloom encompass us. Dying is but going home."
Thank You, Father, for the hope we have in Jesus. Not hope so...but know so! Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross...because that tomb is empty...we know that we know that we know that we will one day see our loved ones in Christ. What a reunion!
Only imagine what wonders they are seeing and experiencing right now. Right at this very moment. Yesterday in church, as we joyfully sang our worship music (and it truly was heavenly!), I kept thinking of all those loved ones who have gone on Home and are really worshipping right now. They now know the inexpressible joy that our songs merely hint at...they now know what it is to bask in the glow of His glory. They understand fully what it means to rejoice in the presence of the Lamb...and the heavenly hosts...and Spurgeon, Calvin, Luther, Paul, Peter...and beloved parents and siblings and children and friends.
Wow. There simply are no words. Only wonder. And overwhelming gratitude and thanksgiving.
So Father, thank You for the hope for glory. Thank You for the treasure of friends and family that have gone before us and are already Home. And thank You for the whiffs of heaven's glory that we sense on this earth. Oh my, the best is yet to come.
"Well done, good and faithful, Lacy. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master." (Mt.25:21) Oh to hear such words!
Welcome home, Lacy. Welcome home to all those who've gone before us and are rejoicing and laughing and seeing and experiencing the glorious Truth as never before.
To God be the glory.
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