I recently read the book "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. It is about his son, Colton, and his experience with heaven. Colton happens to be four years old, and he has very definite memories of being in heaven after nearly losing his life due to a ruptured appendix. I highly recommend this book because it is a quick read, and a delightful insight into heaven.
Some of the things that four year old Colton talks about is seeing a grandfather (nobody is old) he never met, a sister that was mis-carried that he never heard about, and what Jesus looks like (there is a picture in the book). Yes, there are animals in heaven! All of his recollections are cross-referenced by his father (who is a pastor) with scripture. This story is a sweet one that gives a glimpse of what we have to look forward to when we are called God's child and meet Him in all His glory.
I bet we have all wondered what it will be like when we take our last breath on this earth and enter the life after. We have fleeting thoughts on who we will see and what we will do. Colton was not bored, and he talks about what he learned as he walked with Jesus. He also describes the incredible love and peace he felt when he was in the presence of God. Since Colton can't read or write, his matter a fact details our mesmerizing.
I think it is good to ponder what is ahead of us. We sometimes need to take ourselves out of this world and realize there is more ahead and we need to be aligned with that goal of being in the presence of God for eternity. The alternative is not good, it is separation from God, and the opposite of peace and love. There is room for everyone in heaven, but some will ignore the greatest invite they will ever receive.
We have all had an occasion where we wish we could be an invited guest at a party. When I was in my teens, there was a couple that owned a home up in the hills of Hacienda Heights and it was a magnificent Tudor mansion. In my simple life, I had never seen such beauty in a home. It had the most beautiful artwork, and a winding staircase with red carpet and a knight in the entrance. We were told about a secret room off the library. Their daughter's bedroom was the biggest room I had ever seen. They had a tennis court and a racket ball court, and the most beautiful garden for entertaining. This couple was very generous in hosting some gatherings for our church, and allowing kids to come. If you were invited to one of these gatherings you felt very special, and there was no question that you would clear your calendar to attend.
Imagine driving by this house and wishing you could go in. If you did not know the owner of the house, you would not be invited to the party. How sad it would be to sit outside the gate hearing laughter and music and not be able to go inside because you are not on the guest list. Also, imagine if you you knew the owner of the house and got an invitation, but chose not to accept it because there were better things to do with your time. Now you sit outside the gate wishing you would have accepted the invitation.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4
Jesus tells us that He is preparing a place for us, and it will be magnificent. First, if he can make the earth in seven days, and He is still under construction in heaven, it must be beyond anything we can imagine! Jesus also tells us that everybody is invited, but clearly not everyone will accept the invitation. There will be people who sits outside the gate when life is over wishing he/she knew God. They might have heard the invitation to come to Him, but decided they did not have time to accept the invitation.
It is not about the house (heaven), it is about the owner. I have always tried to live my life in reverse with the goal of being in the loving presence of God when I leave this earth. That means that I want to know Him now so that I can fully appreciate what is ahead. It is also my greatest desire to make sure that everyone I know, and even those I don't, hears about God's invitation.
Colton's story about seeing heaven is amazing. It gives me great peace to know that what is ahead is not scary at all. When I take my last breath on this earth, I will be in the presence of God's incredible love and peace. I also like that we will still be learning about God's ways, and will be functioning beings in heaven! Very few people want to sit around playing a harp!
Heaven is for real. It is written about in God's word, and given brief descriptions. If you don't know where you are going when your time is up, you might want to act on the invitation that is offered at this very moment to join Jesus in eternity.
Sandy
