Mar 07 2009
Nobody’s Talking About Heaven Anymore
Psalm 130:6 says, “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning; I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”
When I was a little girl my grandma sometimes got this far away look in her eyes as if her mind was somewhere else, and I remember asking, “What are you thinking about, Grandma?” She’d smile and gently caress my cheek with her fingertips and say, “I’m just thinking about heaven, honey. I guess I’m lonesome for Jesus to come and get me. I’ve been waiting a very long time.”
Of course I didn’t want her to leave me, but the day came when she had to go, and although I grieved terribly I just knew she was having the time of her life up there at that grand reunion, hugging all those who’d gone before, but especially being with her Jesus. I could picture it in my mind’s eye, and it gave me comfort. If I’m not mistaken there’s even a song, a beautiful Negro spiritual that says, “Nobody’s talkin’ ’bout heaven anymore.”
I’ve been wondering about that. How often have you heard anyone talking about heaven lately? Have we believers grown so cold and distracted that we never want to exit Planet Earth?
I’m as bad as the rest, busy about my business–all important things that need to be done. But I’ve decided I can no longer afford to keep Jesus in a little box to be brought out and admired at my convenience, like a little toy I’m saving to play with when it rains outside. Instead I want Him to be the end all and be all of why I live. I want my grandchildren to be able to see in my eyes a wistful look. I want them to ask me, “What are you thinking about, Grandma?” And I want to gently caress their little cheeks and say, “I’m just thinking about heaven, honey. I’m missing my Jesus, and I want to go home.” I want to make them yearn for heaven too.
But is heaven really home for us, or is this home? It’s a sad commentary if we have so much junk gluing our sorry feet to the ground that we don’t want to go home anymore.
Well, I’m homesick for heaven, I really am. I find myself weeping as I think of the day we’ll be together, and I can’t wait.
May God forgive me for losing my focus. I’ve got it right now, I think, and from now on my daydreams and night dreams and wishes and yearnings are going to be about the day I meet my Savior face to face. What about you?
Let’s start yearning for home.
Because of His great love,
Nancy
