Last Sunday, our church celebrated All Saints Day. It’s a
time to remember those who have passed over the last year. The minister did a
good job of talking about those individuals, and he suggested that we all are
saints in the making. I don’t necessarily agree that I’m a saint, and plenty of
folks might quickly tell you that I’m closer to the devil’s minion. Still, the
service set me to thinking about just what life on the other side is like.
Some folks believe that our eternity will be spent singing
hymns and worshiping God. They think that means attending a never-ending church
service. I might like singing some of the old hymns; they’ve always been
special to me, and other folks hum or sing them as they go about their daily
routines. However, I’m not so sure how appealing church services would be.
Would many of the folks there nod off or fiddle with the same kinds of things they
now do on Sunday mornings?
I’m hoping, first, that I make it to heaven when my days are
over. If I do, it will be through the grace of a loving God who knows all my
faults, sins, and shortcomings, but who loves me in spite of them and who
shrugs them off. I feel certain that Heaven would offer the overflowing
contentment that comes by being in the presence of God and enjoying an eternal
existence.
I have some questions that I want to ask God when I arrive.
On so many occasions, life has presented problems and disappointments and
confusion. I would like to sit down with Him and listen to His explanations
about why things worked as they did. No, I’m not about to argue with the good
lord, but I just want to understand the how and why of things that occurred
during my time on Earth.
Arriving in heaven, I would hope to see those folks who have
been so special in my life. It would be
I’d also like to meet my in-laws, as well as relatives. At
the same time, I’d like to spend time with some of my heroes in life, such as
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robin Williams, Dan Fogelberg, and Ray Charles. And yes,
I’d like to spend a long time with Jesus and listen to him. We all could sing
some songs, not necessarily hymns but ones that bring happiness and spark good
memories, tell jokes, and hold major discussions on topics.
Many of us will probably will be surprised at the folks who
are present in heaven. We’ve all passed judgments on people and decided they
weren’t were a dime and were “going to hell in a hand basket.” I’m pretty sure that God is much more
forgiving than we are and will pour His grace and mercy on those who most need
it. It stands to reason that He is much better at judging than we are, so I’m
prepared to be surprised at who’s there. At the same time, my presence will
also stun plenty of people there.
To be honest, I hope I make it to heaven, but I’m not in a
big hurry to get there. I want to spend as much time on this planet with the
ones whom I love. The line to heaven is only one that I will gladly
allow
anyone to cut in front of me. The best way to give praise right now is to live
each day fully and to enjoy being in the presence of God in this world that He
has created for us all. That is good enough for me; I hope I see you and you
see me in a wonderful place after this life is over.
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