A Weathered Perspective…Thoughts From The Pacific NW

Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.

Rev 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.

“The more you see the less you know

The less you find out as you go

I knew much more then than I do now

Oh you look so beautiful tonight

In the city of blinding lights”

City of Blinding Lights – U2

It is a new year. Many hopes and dreams are anticipated. Many hopes and dreams are left behind. I don’t know which thought receives greater consideration when contemplating a new year; what has happened in the past year, or what we anticipate for the new? One thought that is prevalent in my mind however is of Heaven. I probably am considering this because of my mother’s recent passing. And I know Heaven is where she dwells now. Although loss is hard and there is grievousness, there is something compelling in the heart when it happens that draws our thoughts toward eternity. The Bible tells us that God has placed the concept of eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Grief confronts us to this reality. And I think also that through sorrow, our heart is refreshed. The Bible tells us this too. It says that tears are better than laughter (Ecclesiastes 7:3). There is something very spiritual about sorrow. It is hard. And I would do anything to replace this emotion with the life of my mother back. But nonetheless, there is God’s goodness in the sorrow. Jesus experienced it. And maybe it is through sorrow that we actually have the deepest connection we can have as humans to our Savior.

I am drawn towards the vision of Heaven. I know this is where my life leads too. And anyone can have this assurance through faith in Jesus. Yes, it is that simple. And the verses above describe what awaits those who believe. And U2 even sing about it. I can’t think of a greater thought to dwell on entering a new year right now than that of an eternal promise; we will see God, and we will dwell with Him. My anticipation of this event comes in modes of comprehension. Sometimes I am fully aware of this fact. Other times I am focused on such worldly realities and the daily life. But I choose today to cherish this thought and the emotions it brings to me. I choose to cherish this fact that we will be in splendor one day too. I choose to recognize today that God holds a future for us. And that future is the greatest contemplation we could find ourselves immersed in…for one day we will be fully immersed in Him…

-n8p