As some of you may know, I am one of three siblings. I have an older brother named Joey and a younger sister named Lisa. I tell you this because on Friday, the day where the last of the 3 of us to say “I do” has arrived. Lisa is getting married and I must say, it is bitter sweet. Trust me, it is so exciting but it is also the end of an era for the “Pasco kids.” It seems in the blink of an eye, we all decided to grow up.
In about 3 years or so Joey got married, then Lisa got engaged, then I got engaged and married, then Joey and my sister in law Christina had a baby and now the last wedding. Not only have the last few years been a whirlwind but looking back on life at 34 years old I finally understand the meaning of “life is short.”
I remember the first house we lived in, as I would dance around the basement as a 5 year old to Madonna and Micheal Jackson with my dad and brother. I remember watching our new home being built as a 6 year old. I remember touching my moms pregnant belly with Lisa. I remember my first school and the way it smelled in the hallway when lunch was cooking. I remember my highschool and running through the hallways and making new friends that became like sisters. I remember my first love, and all the ones after. I remember some bad nights and good times as a lost 20 something. And I remember when the world stood still for the first time. It was when I finally felt and accepted God’s grace. It was when I realized I’d done my adolescent years wrong but I also realized God had a perfect plan for my future! And then I turn around and met my husband and children and here I am today. How?! How can 34 years be put in a paragraph? The truth is, it can be done as quickly as it seems the years have gone by.
Now I understand why we crave eternity. It just doesn’t seem like enough time. And if you are shaking your head in agreement right now, you’re right, it’s not! God never meant for us to just have life here on earth. He’s always meant for us to have “forever.” Ecclestias 3:11 “God has “set eternity in the human heart.” In every human soul is a God-given awareness that there is something more than this world.
I think of all these amazing blessings and milestones along the way in my life. I think of all the seasons: seasons of waiting, seasons of blessing, and seasons of sadness. And as wonderful as some of them were, I know seasons come and go. Then I ask the question “does anything in this life truly satisfy forever?” The answer: Honestly, no. Sure we all have awesome moments of satisfaction, but not one constantly keeps our heart in a state of satisfaction. However, through all the ups and downs of life, we have a glimpse of stability: God has “set eternity in the human heart.” James 4:14 says “Life is but a vapor” but we know there is something past this life. We have an awareness, that was divinely implanted in our hearts, that the soul lives forever.
I will soak in these days, these mile markers and all these wonderful moments. And I will wake up thanking God everyday for all of them. But I’ll also wake up thanking God because I’ve got eternity on my side. I know it will never be over for me. Now I know why time stood still the day I accepted God’s grace. It’s because with Him, there is no time. I also know on Friday, the tears I shed at my sisters wedding will be tears of joy as well as tears mourning the loss of time. But the loss of time is just another day closer to a place where time stands still and only love abides.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for every bit of time I have, because I can’t yet really fathom the awesomeness of heaven. But I do know God gives me glimpses of it daily. And I know Friday will be one of those heavenly glimpses. The music, the love, the dancing, the beauty, the heart exploding moments, and the abundance of joy! It’s as close as I can get to imagining heaven here on earth.
But heaven is a choice. And my prayer is that anyone reading this who has not chosen Jesus as the way to heaven, that you do now. I want to see you and your daughters, sons, sisters and brothers there too. If you decide right now that it’s in your heart to do so, pray along with me….
Dear God,
We know you put eternity in our hearts for a reason. We know you want us in heaven, along with all the ones we love because you love us and them deeper than we could ever imagine. I realize that the reason for Jesus’ death was to show that dying to ourselves to live for You was the only way to live forever. So today, I proclaim that you gave your son Jesus to death so that forgiveness and love would always be given to me. And so that I would spend my life in heaven. I confess my past life of living for myself and I admit I am ready to trust Jesus. I ask Jesus to come into my heart, take up residence here, and begin living through me. I now know I need you today and everyday. And I love you.
Amen.