Heaven on Earth

One year ago today, our church lost a titan of faith and gentle friend. Many people miss her deeply. Many people rejoice because she is with her Lord and Savior. And, I'm sure, there are some who are jealous as well -- like me. She knows so much more right now than she could ever have known on this side of Eternity! She has answers to some of the questions she had; she has answers to some of the questions I have. She is in a fellowship so deep right now, those of us here can only catch glimmers once in a while. Oh, glory! To be face to face with The King!

That is where my mind is today -- thinking about my proximity to Jesus and longing to be as close to Him as I can possibly be. Just this week I was talking to a friend. "I don't want to miss it," I said. This has been my prayer for so long. I'm not talking about the rapture. I'm not talking about some run to perfection, obeying every rule. I'm not afraid that I'm not saved. I mean I don't want to miss the fullness of Jesus, the apex of my relationship with Him (as much as is possible) -- today. If life in this world is simply a hope for heaven, why are we here? If heaven is my endgame, I should have been there the moment "my ear was pierced" and I became a bondservant of Jesus Christ. And would heaven even be heaven if Jesus wasn't there? The point of my life -- here and in heaven -- is God. Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" and answers, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." Forever, not later. From the moment we existed, it was our intended purpose to be in relationship with Jesus, to know Him fully, to serve Him with all He endowed and blessed us, and to find pleasure and fulfillment in that. I don't want to miss that!

In John 21, the disciples had been out fishing all night. They caught nothing. At daybreak, Jesus stands on the shore and calls to them, but they don't recognize Him. A Man they'd spent the greater part of three years walking with, talking with, eating with, traveling with -- hearing Him speak day after day - and they don't know His voice, they don't recognize His form. As soon as they obey His command and see the blessing He pours out on them, they know. They know His goodness. They know His power. And they react. John cries out. Peter jumps in. The remaining disciples follow with an abundance of fish. Knowledge of the presence of God and their reaction to it.

That's where I want to be. I want to see Him in as many places as I can, as many ways as I can. I want my visioned sharpened so I don't miss Him in the color of another's skin or the swell of a fat, juicy Summer tomato. I want my ears pricked at the sweet song of one of His birds or my husband's booming voice. I want my skin to tremble at the caress of a lazy breeze or the warmth of a child's hand in mine. I want my taste buds to sing at the sweet nectar of a honeysuckle bloom or awaken at the fiery snap of a hot pepper fresh off the stem. I want the sweet aroma of rain and the smell of my dog's fur to bring His name to my lips and His goodness to my thoughts. And I want to react accordingly.

With exclamation. "Thank You, Lord, for all You give and do!"

With a plunge. Leaving all else behind and immersing myself in the experience, to draw near my Lord.

With hard work. Reaping the harvest, coming to Him with all He has given me.

Heaven on earth. I don't want to miss it.