Observation: when 83, a person thinks more about death than when 23, or 33, or even 73. Far too many of my Christian friends seem to dread it, fight to stay alive (and healthy) and are not ready at all for that transition.
This past week, I asked God to give me the right attitude about death. And without anything happening (other than the usual aches and fatigue) I began getting excited to the adventure of stepping into eternity. This is sort of like reading a good mystery. I like best those that I cannot figure out until the ending. Since God reveals very little information about eternity, it is a mystery, intriguing and each day is a page-turner. Yet I do know one thing — I will see Jesus! For that reason: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
The ‘gain’ part is easy. I will be like Him. What greater gain is that? The Word of God testifies to this truth:
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)While I don’t agree with the usual definition of ‘perfectionist’ yet always want to do the best I can, and being made perfect goes far beyond all my intentions and abilities. Being perfect is even a mystery. It will be solved, yet as appealing as that is, seeing Jesus is even more appealing.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus. . . . (Hebrews 12:22–24)
Herein is the mystery. How is He both fully God and fully man? What does He look like? Will He still bear the scars of being here? What will the expression on His face say? I can barely think of His touch or a hug, but I do long for the wonder of meeting Him face to face. No more tears, no more pain, nothing can hold a candle to seeing Him like He is and realizing that the mystery will be over — even though I will spend all of forever finding out all there is to know about my amazing Lord.
PRAY: Jesus, You are my life now, my joy and peace. The wonder of You is in every breath yet there is more, and more, and more. Yes, to live is You — yet to die and be with You is an incredible hope that fills my heart and mind with the excitement of discovering that the lovely mystery of You will satisfy my soul — for eternity.
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