Category: anticipation

It’s Coming, Part 3

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Despite the official start of spring tomorrow, warmer temperatures are hiding. We do not doubt that sunny days, brighter skies, and green leaves are coming—these longed-for signs of spring are just playing shy as the cold, gray weather continues.

The news headlines also seem cold and gray, offering dour reports and disputed solutions. How nice to know the media doesn’t have the last word! As sure as a new season is coming in nature, a bright future awaits us in eternity, one filled with promise and hope—where there will never, ever be reports of war.

We have a lot of never-evers to look forward to. We will never ever be deceived; everything we hear (and say) will be true. We will never doubt anyone or be suspicious. There will be no lies or innuendos. We will never misspeak; all our words will be wise and edifying.

Our understanding will not be dim or limited. We will comprehend wonders and appreciate scientific complexities and artistic beauty. Those wonders God confided to us on earth (see Psalm 25:14) will be expanded and expounded on in heaven—and we will have no problem grasping their intricacies! 

We will never ever feel self-conscious, embarrassed, or uncomfortable (pause and think about that)! We will never be deterred by physical or mental inadequacies. We will not mistrust others or second-guess ourselves. Our emotions will not be unruly, our feelings will not mislead, and there will be no fear to bully us. Our curiosity will be piqued and satisfied. Our interests will be sharpened and broadened. Our creativity will find uninhibited expression and produce unflawed beauty.

We will never ever be depressed, angry, or frustrated. We will not feel inferior, or superior. We will not hide from or shun anyone. We will not wrestle with pride, harbor unforgiveness, or hold bitterness. Every word we hear will be enlightening and beneficial. We will love and smile and encourage.

God will occupy our thoughts and speech. Our worship will flow as freely as we breathe. For eternity, we will realize fresh aspects of His nature and discover the beauty of His new creation. We will reunite with family and friends and meet servants and heroes we heard about. We will eat and dance and laugh together, and tell of God’s goodness.

These thoughts about Heaven could expand from three blogs to three books—there is no limit to imagining its glory. After Paul wrote, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him,” he added, “But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Cor. 2:9-10). We can only imagine the blessings that await us.

Heaven is a treasured assurance for all who believe in Jesus. Eternal spring is coming!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Want to read more about Heaven? Check out this site:
davidjeremiah.blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-heaven-65-passages-to-get-you-started/

It’s Coming, Part 2

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

Are you celebrating? The melting snow has uncovered green grass, and the time change is extending daylight into the evening. And it will only get better—spring will officially arrive on March 20. When we were blanketed with snow in bone-chilling temperatures, we eagerly anticipated the blessings of spring, and we see them increasing day by day. Let’s talk about the forever spring of eternity and return to our musings about the joys ahead.

I love thinking about what will not be in Heaven, such as sickness. Can you imagine never having a headache, toothache, or body ache? Our knees won’t buckle, our backs won’t spasm, our bones won’t break. There will be no tumors, no abscesses, no mysterious anomalies. We won’t cough, sneeze, or blow our noses. We won’t suffer from indigestion, worry about heart palpitations, or experience chronic fatigue. Our memories will be sharp, never forgetting thoughts or searching for words. We will have no medication, no surgery, no tooth extractions. We will not need glasses, hearing aids, or joint braces. We won’t run out of breath, run out of energy, run out of time. Mountain climbing, galaxy surfing, and deep-sea swimming will not tax us. We will breathe deeply, and our senses will be sharp, allowing us to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel acutely. Selah. These thoughts are too wonderful!

Consider what will be “no more” in heaven, and we’ll continue our ponderings next Thursday. For today, savor this:

God Himself will be with us and be our God. 
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, 
for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4

It’s Coming, Part 1

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I’m looking out my window at snow-covered ground, but my weather app promises a heatwave by this afternoon—47 degrees! I was thrilled to spot my first robin in our backyard, even though he wasn’t hopping on green grass but on ice-covered wetlands. And the ducks are back! But rather than swimming, they were waddling atop frozen water. Regardless of the view or the chill I feel, there is one thing I’m sure of: Spring is coming!

What is it that fuels our anticipation of a new season? I think it’s more than a longing for beautiful greenery and colorful flowers. I suspect we are simply so “over” winter’s challenges—the snow removal, the restrictions, the heating bills, the layers of clothing, the threat of slipping. Putting that all behind us elates our hearts with happy thoughts—green buds, getting out and about, fresh air and open windows, lightweight jackets, walks in the sunshine.

This is not different from my anticipation of the next life, when I will shed everything that weighs me down. I will walk in freedom, without restraints. I will observe only life and health. Everywhere I look, I will discover unseen wonders. I will never be concerned with comfort control, hidden dangers, or inconvenient disruptions. This is my inheritance for all eternity.

What do you anticipate? We’ll ponder more next week.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay