Thoughts on Heaven - Sunday's Coming

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, and we'll see Jesus face-to-face (song, There Will Be A Day, Jeremy Camp).

This song quote almost sounds cliché, but there is truth and comfort in it. At least, if you believe you will see Jesus face-to-face. I think, too, that this quote sums up the comfort of the idea of heaven for most people. A better place. No more pain. No more crying. No more fears. And all will be well. In general, heaven is a concept I try not to think about. However, recently, it's been on my mind more. I've had conversations and read books and recently, people I know have passed away. And at times such as this, it lends to reflection. I guess, though, shouldn't we be thinking about heaven as being more than just this place with no more hard times? Isn't it more than that? And yet, that's one of the reasons why I look forward to heaven. Granted, I'd still say I don't want to go just yet.

A few weeks ago, I came back to a book I started a long time ago - 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. He was in a brutal accident, literally died on the scene, and had a heaven experience. After 90 minutes, he revived and came to. In the months (and maybe even still) that followed, he questioned many times why he couldn't stay in heaven instead of being in constant pain on earth. But there was more to it than that - the longing to be with Jesus. To be in that glory. Over time, he saw a purpose for him to continue to be on this earth. Over time, he saw his purpose in being on this earth, but it took a while. But he notes that while he was in heaven, he didn't think about those he left behind. To him, it was but a short good-bye. He'd see them again. The experience was glorious and the book goes into a fair amount of detail as to what he experienced. I've also heard of others who have had a similar experience. Although I believe they're thankful for the time they have with loved ones today, those are the people who I see long the most to be with Jesus in heaven.

The whole idea of heaven itself is a mystery to me. During a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about the idea that heaven really means being with Jesus. I guess, my response to that is, aren't we with him now? Isn't he ever-present with us? How is that any different than now? Or does that mean this is some sort of heaven. In doing more reading and thinking, I think in our lifetime on earth, we catch glimpses of something to come. A taste. Like experiencing peace in times of difficulty or pain, experiencing and knowing God's presence, experiencing beauty in people or in nature or in art, or noticing the little things in life when we are living in the moment. Feeling the wind on our face, noticing the details in how a bird hopes or an animal moves, or watching the trees move, or listening to the flow of water, or hearing other nature sounds. (Wow - that sentence is something similar to what I wrote in a different post - I guess it's obvious that this is one way that I connect with God). But I think the song "I Can Only Imagine" (Mercy Me) sums it up quite well - see below.

Like the people who have had 'heaven experiences', I hope that my desire to be with Christ eternally will become a longing. I do hope that I don't need to go through some horrific process or serious illness to get to that point. :) I don't want that longing to be only about the beauty that has been described in various biblical passages or that life will be blissful with no pain, etc., but about being in the very presence of God. And, yes, a part of me looks forward to the day when I won't have to worry that I will slip on the ice and fall and break something or have some other fall or injury that leads to broken bones. I look forward to being able to walk normally and to be able to jump or dance. When I think about this part, I long for that. The song, "I Can Only Imagine" has special meaning to me, both in the idea that I will be physically restored and that heaven is about worshiping God. When I listen to that song or watch the video, it brings tears to my eyes. I get this overwhelming sense of - I don't even know how to describe it. Maybe longing is the word. Maybe this is my glimpse of longing.



I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine



And another song that has been in my head recently related to heaven:

There Will Be A Day (by Jeremy Camp)


And for those who have lost someone recently or are experiencing a lot of hardship,

It's Friday ... But Sunday's Coming!