With summer upon us, it is now a common sight to see cars loaded up with car-top carriers and bicycles attached to the trunk. Kids are out of school and vacations are finally happening. For months now we have been planning and dreaming of these trips. We don’t even have to leave the state, but the anticipation of packing up and going somewhere, to do something, with the people we love, has helped us persevere through cold winter months and the craziness of spring sports and graduation season.
Now before we know it we will be pulling out of our driveways and heading towards that destination. Our expectations of relaxing by a pool, exploring a new city, climbing a mountain, eating that food, cheering on the team, catching that wave or reconnecting with distant family or friends are soaring. But no matter how much we try to saver every moment, the inevitable last day arrives and we head home. Bags are unpacked, cars unloaded, aloe Vera is applied, and we start to sift through the vacation photos on our phones. That anticipation for the vacation is gone, but after a few days back into the normal schedule we forget the thrill it had given us when our minds drifted to those summer plans.
Imagine living everyday with that same anticipation for what’s to come, except this time there’s no fear of rain, crowds, lost passports, delays, sickness, flat tire, whining or last days. No matter how great your expectations are, they will be exceeded. As believers, we have the amazing gift of waking up every morning to the hope, joy, and anticipation of eternity with God in heaven.
As we learn more about the Lord, our understanding of what heaven will be like grows deeper and deeper. We get to spend eternity (try to wrap your mind around that) with the Creator of the world. We get to experience this amazing place that He has been preparing for us since He left earth over two-thousand years ago,
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” –John 14:1-3
Does your anticipation for heaven consume you? Do you find your mind wandering there often? Our enemy, satan, longs to keep us distracted. He wants nothing more than to make us content with life here on earth…to forget about eternity…to forget the command that Jesus gave us right before he ascended into heaven,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20
We are not promised tomorrow. We can’t plan when eternity will start for us and circle it on our calendars, but it will happen. And as believers it is our joy and our role to share the good news with others. How quick are we to share with others the exciting details of our upcoming vacation? Or when we return, it never takes long to share our best memory or story from the trip. Why can’t we be just as quick to share the love of Jesus and the promise of heaven? And trust me, heaven is going to blow our socks off!
So that’s the challenge I’ll leave with you and myself. As we pack up our cars and try not to forget our toothbrushes, may we remember that each day is a gift, and may we pray for opportunities to share our faith with those around us. I know the Lord is excited for us to get to heaven and experience all He has been preparing for us…so let’s not let a single opportunity pass us by to share with someone else the free gift of salvation.