As I get older—or maybe I should say, more experienced—I’ve realized that much of life isn’t concrete at all. In fact, the most important things in life cannot be seen; they can only be felt. Because there is far more than what we can perceive with our five senses, God gave us imagination.
Even the most literal thinkers must acknowledge that there is a vast universe of things we do not yet understand. We imagine a soul, heaven, and the entire spiritual realm. Because so much of life cannot be fully explained right now, we are asked to trust that there are evil forces at work—and also a powerful, loving, and good God who reigns over all.
Psalm 33:4 (NLT)
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
We must be careful not to dismiss what cannot be proven by our senses alone. In the following passage, John recorded the words of Jesus inviting us to trust His promises, even when we cannot see the outcome yet.
John 14:1–2 (AMP)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
Anticipating Heaven
We plan vacations, weddings, retirements, Christmas celebrations, and parties. When we imagine them, we begin to live for them. Vacation planning pushes everything else to the background—we become focused and single-minded.
What if we anticipated heaven the same way?
What if we lived with our eyes fixed on our true home with God? Even the heinous evil of this world would begin to lose its grip. Molehills would remain molehills instead of becoming mountains of worry and dread. We would live with the end in mind.
And who would we tell about this great vacation—the vacation to end all vacations—so they could share in the joy of anticipating it too?
After all, we are told our time on earth, with all its brokenness, is only a short trial before we go home to live with our Heavenly Father. Imagine a home designed by the One who created the night sky, mountain showers, and fluffy snowflakes. How breathtaking will that be?
We are told there will be no more pain or suffering—or even the fear of pain. Imagine a world where cancer and mental illness have no power. No hunger. No homelessness. No borders. No speed limits. No addictions, no abuse, and no one looking down on you for any reason.
You will sing. You will dance. You will fly.
And you will never again be separated from those you love.
All the things that delight you on earth come from God, so I believe they will be there too. Mountain climbers will climb. Archaeologists will dig. Naturalists will wander through unspoiled beauty. Readers will read. Shoppers will shop. Pet lovers will delight in their pets. And we will finally know the goodness of God beyond anything we have ever experienced.
So this is me—inviting you to imagine. And to rest assured that heaven is real and will be the adventure of a lifetime.
As Steven Curtis Chapman sings, “Let’s saddle up our horses and follow our Leader into the glorious unknown.”
This is The Great Adventure.
