Heaven (Part 2)નમૂનો

Heaven Is Real

David L’Herroux's journey through the loss of his son, Jamie, and the comfort of God’s Words reveals a powerful truth:

'In 1988, the unthinkable happened in our family when our 13-month-old son Jamie died suddenly. In a blur of blue lights, we raced behind the paramedics as he was rushed to the hospital, but when we arrived, we were told there was nothing the doctors could do. Jamie had gone to be with the Lord.

Later that day, as I stood in the Chapel of Rest at the hospital, my heart shattered. I cried out to God and asked Him to bring Jamie back. In the quiet, I felt God speak into my spirit: “He will not come back to you, but you will go to him one day.”

I later learned these were the words God spoke to King David after the loss of his own son. Over the years, those words have given me immense hope and comfort because they remind me that there is a world beyond this one.

I believe we will see Jamie again one day. Today, 16th January, would have been Jamie’s 38th birthday. It is almost hard to believe that so much time has passed, as the events of that day still sometimes feel like they happened just yesterday. Throughout the years, we have been sustained by one miraculous truth – Heaven is real.

If you have lost someone you love, you will know the heartache of earthly loss, but I want to encourage you to know and believe that Heaven is not a myth; it is a very real place.

The Scriptures provide a wealth of details about Heaven. It is where God lives (see Psalm 115:3) and was designed for us. God doesn’t need a place to live; He is self-sufficient. However, He made Heaven for us.

God’s heart was to create a home and a family, and He loves us so much that He has adopted us into His family so that we can spend eternity with Him. But He also gave us a choice. Where we spend eternity will be determined by whether we choose to accept the free gift of Jesus or not.

What Is Heaven Like?

Jesus said that He would go to prepare a place for us (see John 14:3). In Revelation 22, we are given a beautiful picture of a place with trees and a river "clear as crystal” flowing down the middle of the street.

Heaven is also described as a place where God’s people will live with Him forever, and where all tears, grief, pain, and death will be wiped away. It is a place where "the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

If you are like me, sometimes you might think, “Lord, it’s dreadful down here.” But the thought of a perfect world to come with no pain gives us great hope.

Living For Today

While we look forward to eternity with great expectancy, it is important to live with purpose while on this Earth, to be fully present in the life we have been given. It is okay to dream and look forward to a day when we can shed our “suit” of flesh and blood, but we should not forget that God has a purpose for us now.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says that we are ambassadors of Christ. If I were a political ambassador, it would mean that I had an important purpose, and that ultimately, I was a citizen of another country.

The same is true when we are Christ’s ambassadors. Our appointment and purpose are from God, and we have a heavenly assignment to speak God’s heart to the country and situation we are currently in.

If you are in a difficult situation or have lost someone you love, can I encourage you: Heaven is real. As believers, it is a place we can look forward to with expectancy. I believe that I will one day be reunited with my son. But until that day, let’s live for the here and now.

Let’s make it our goal to share this truth, this hope, with as many people as possible, until the day God finally calls us home.'

Reflect

• The perfect world of Heaven is waiting for us when we accept Jesus as our Saviour. How does this promise change your perspective on your life today?
• How can you share the truth and hope of Heaven with someone else today?

Pray

Lord God, thank You for the hope of Heaven, where sorrow ends and joy begins. Please comfort me in times of loss, and in every situation, help me live as Your ambassador here on Earth. I pray that my life will be a testament to Your love until the day I'm home with You forever in Heaven. Amen.