Heaven

Our company team went on an outing this afternoon. While waiting for others to arrive, I walked over to a man-made stream with a fountain placed in the center. Streams of cold water shot forcefully up in the air. Rays of warm sunlight danced over its diamond like surface. The leaves of the trees, fresh and green from spring, danced and twirled in the soft breeze.

Suddenly I became aware of an other world, a place that is just paper thin from this natural world, that if torn, I could easily slip into it. A place where God dwells in eternal glory.

For just a few seconds, I had a taste of heaven and my spine tingled. My eyes widen in longing for a place where I will finally see Him. Perhaps I stared too long at the water for I blinked at the brightness around me.

I'm reminded of the other place where is there is a river, alive and crystal clear (Revelation 22:1). There along the banks are trees for the healing of the nations (Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2). And a place where the sun no longer exists because the Lamb of God is the lamp (Revelation 21:23).

Until He calls me home or should the trumpet blast, I remain in a fallen world. I bleed and weep. Laugh and rest. I grow tired and my eyes become dim as age corrupts and inches me closer to death. Yes, there are moments of pleasure and delight. Sun kissed summers and pleasant moments with friends and family. But nothing compares to the home awaiting those who love Him, who have suffered in this life, believing it will be worth it all in the end.

Last Sunday afternoon I had another taste of heaven. My wife and I were exiting the subway in Manhattan. A nearby train raced along the tracks, it's metal wheels grinding on the aging tracks, making a rebellious screech. The air was filled with a terrible smell of oil and other noxious scents that hung heavy in the summer heat. The walkways coated in layers of dirt and grim.

Then I heard a man singing and I couldn't yet see him or pick up the words, but I felt my spirit lift. There seemed to be a sudden ray of light, a familiar and wonderful Presence pushing back the darkness and the sadness on the faces of so many travelers. As I approached it was a young man singing, "Our Great Is Our God".

For a moment heaven visited the belly of a filthy subway station. Heaven is not so much a place rather heaven is the Presence of Christ. Where He goes, His Presence makes Heaven!

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalms 139:7-12