(What follows is an imaginary exchange with God.)
ME:
Such perfect weather you’ve provided the last few days, Father, with temps dropping into the 50s by early morning and rising only into the 70s by afternoon. I’m reveling in this absolute perfection while sitting here on the deck with you.
Sunbeams glint through openings in the tree branches, casting pools of light into the undergrowth of the creek bed. Birds tweet and chirp, warble and sing; squirrels scurry from tree to tree, out for their morning run.
Enhancing these pleasurable sights and sounds is your presence, O God. How empty the wonder and joy would be without you to share the experience, without you to praise for your glorious handiwork.
Open my ears, eyes, and heart to more of your glory.
M-m-m. Just as I was writing that sentence, the sun cleared the thick foliage of the trees in the neighbor’s yard and shone upon me. Thank you, Lord, for the glory of your radiant presence that envelopes me.
GOD:
I anxiously await the day when you will experience the fullness of My glory, the day you enter heaven. The wonders of creation you enjoy now give you a mere glimpse of what is to come:
- An eternity of blissfully bright days, because I am the Source of Light. Think of My Light as a symbol for all things good and beautiful, including complete knowledge, perfect righteousness, effervescent joy. Such splendors are only the beginning.
- Cheer-filled angel-song wafting through the air, like the bird-song surrounding you there on the deck. And just as angels focus their music on worship, so do the birds (Psalm 66:4, Revelation 5:13). They celebrate the dawn and life-giving Light; angels celebrate the Light of My Son Jesus and the life He bestows to all who come to Him.
- The gentle wind of the Spirit is continually refreshing the atmosphere of heaven, similar to the breezes of earth. In fact, each time you feel that silken brush of air against your skin, let it remind you of the comfort, strength, and peace in My Spirit’s presence—with you now and always.
- The Tree of Life mentioned in Revelation gives a hint that there are trees in heaven. Wait until you see the variety. Botanists may marvel at the thousands of different species on earth, but what I’ve planted there is just a sample.
- Oh, and I do love animals too. They make Me smile right along with you. I’m so glad you enjoy the daring antics of the squirrels, the waddling strut of the ducks, the graceful soaring of a hawk, the regal stance of the deer. Again, don’t be surprised if more delightful species aren’t awaiting your discovery in heaven.
As you revel in creation (which I’m so delighted you do), let your joy lead you to anticipation in this:
Soon you’ll experience “the unsurpassed joy, unfading glory, undiminished bliss, unlimited delights, and unending pleasures” (John MacArthur) of heaven.
Rest assured: life in heaven will never become boring. You, along with all kingdom saints will reign together with Me forever and ever (Revelation 22:5), carrying out satisfying work and fulfilling important responsibilities.
And you will never come to the end of discovering My inexhaustible wonders, the splendor of My glory, or the marvels of My creation .
One day you’ll fully understand:
Just you wait!
Photo credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.wikimedia.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxfuel.com.
From the Inside Out 
Nancy,
What a beautiful worded blog and done well. Yes, one day we will fully understand. Blessings to you and Steve, Janet Leap
Thank you, Janet. Praise God for coming alongside me that morning on the deck and whispering these thoughts into my spirit. Steve and I ARE blessed, staying happily occupied even though continuing to isolate at home for the most part. All is well with the family–blessed in that way as well. We pray blessings upon you too, dear friend!
With all of the beauty, do you believe there must be a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father? A divine female role model for us to look to as women?
A valid question to ask, Danielle! God is neither male nor female; he is Spirit (John 4:24), and offers the perfect role model of all positive qualities for men and women alike (Colossians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Bible does refer to God in masculine terms; Jesus instructed us to view him as our Father (Matthew 23:9), although there are several references that emphasize more feminine characteristics–even in that same chapter of Matthew (v. 37). I for one am very thankful for my Heavenly Father’s leadership and loving care in my life!
Praise God!!!
Indeed, Linda Lee!
Oh, yes Lord, I await the revelation of our eternal home 🙌🏽
AMEN, Deandra!
“How empty the wonder and joy would be without you to share the experience, without you to praise for your glorious handiwork.”
This line spoke to my heart today. Thanks
Praise God he used those words to minister to you, Pastor Mike!
Nancy, I just shared this with my friend … so good!!! I don’t focus on heaven nearly enough. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him … but we can and should try 🙂
Thanks for this today, Nancy!
Thank you, Heidi. A bit of contemplation on the glory to come puts the difficulties of here and now into perspective. I need to meditate on heaven more often too!
Very inspiring and I love your page layout. Have a great night.
Thank you, Tangie, for stopping by and taking time to comment!
You are welcome and have an amazing afternoon.
I enjoyed this so very much! You have captured so much beauty in your words, Nancy. Spoken from the heart of a true worshiper of the Father, it is evident. What exciting thoughts about heaven too!
Thank you, Jennifer. I’m delighted you found joy here. Praise God for his inspiration!
Yes and amen! Praises to Him! 😀 ❤
never thought of trees in heaven. I sure hope so. I love trees – they are my main spiritual symbol. Thanks for a beautiful post.
I too love trees–especially the grand old oaks, maples, buckeyes, hickories, and more of our area. They do provide thought-provoking symbols of our growth, stability, fruitfulness, and more of the Christian life. Thank you for your encouragement, Jean!
Hi Nancy,
May the Lord turn our eyes and hearts towards eternal life as this temporal time ticks away.
I love holding a handful of sand at the beach. I could not imagine how many grains are just in my hand. Someone said there are about as many stars in the sky as there are grains of sand ON THE WHOLE EARTH! That blows my mind and yes, eternity will never be boring. In Christ,
Gary
Amen, Gary! I wonder if there are sand beaches on the banks of the River of Life?! Then again, heaven could include oceans. That would be an especially joyful discovery for those who love the sea!
That reminds me. I have a few pieces I want to create that I wonder about. Here is one that as a creative not a theologian, I can hopefully share. Since there are no oceans ( which symbolically represents mystery) on the new Earth( though I am sure there are some bodies of water like the River of Life. Okay let’s say once sin is destroyed there is no reason why men and women can’t travel the stars? So maybe Earth had the “seed” for all life( no New Age idea here) so God can spread oceans, creatures, etc all across the universe? Without the taint of sin life can really be life. Just a thought.
No doubt about it, Gary: your creative mind is stirring up some very interesting ideas. Just the thought of life without the taint of sin is enough fuel to power the imagination for a long time!
I pray that you will reach the creatives who need to Lord and we will all complete the work we are meant to do.
Amen to that, Gary!
Beautifully written and presented, Nancy! I especially loved this part: ‘Rest assured: life in heaven will never become boring. You, along with all kingdom saints will reign together with Me forever and ever (Revelation 22:5), carrying out satisfying work and fulfilling important responsibilities.” I confess that I sometimes cannot wrap my head around the word ‘eternity’. Everything here on earth is finite. There is so very much that awaits us to see and do that we will never be bored. Also, many times I’ve thought that in Heaven we will see beautiful colors that we have never seen here on earth. I am so looking forward to seeing the gardens of the Lord!
I too have thought it likely God has decorated heaven in colors we’ve never seen here. And oh yes, Cheri–the gardens! I’m visualizing the grandest, most far-reaching English style garden–full, lush, and filled with new flowers in new colors. And no weeds!! (Insert smiley face here!)
Hi Nancy, I’m smiling as I see your squirrel as I sit here on the porch tapping away … and continuing to be bothered by a persistent squirrel who insists on climbing the bird feeder.
Sabbath blessings to you …
We don’t even bother with bird feeders because of the squirrel population–all we have is a hummingbird feeder! Thank you for stopping by, Linda and taking the time to comment!