"You will see Him."

I found that phrase in Matthew, right after Jesus' resurrection. The angel tells the two Mary's, "He is going ahead of you... You will see Him there."

I don't think anyone today could say that they have literally seen God. The Bible actually tells us that no man may see the face of God and live. But I've heard someone explain so beautifully the incident when Moses asked to see the Lord, and He agreed to show Him his back once He had passed over Moses. So Moses did see God in a sense... he saw where He had been. We today can see where God has passed, even where His Spirit is working here and now. We see the evidence of His presence, but not the raw, powerful, holy presence that we will one day encounter.

I see God in lots of places, don't you? I see Him in my friends' smiles, in the breathtaking sunsets at the close of the day, and even in myself & how He has made me. But sometimes it's so hard to see Him in my circumstances. And I'm starting to think that I'm not supposed to be looking for Him there.

Just two days ago, we lost a lovely young woman in our community. I know people die every minute of every day, but there is something so eerie when it happens to someone you know and see often. In a moment, they can be gone. I cannot imagine the grief and despair felt by her family. Naturally, times like these stir up the deep and doubtful questions within our hearts. Where is my God now? Is He really good? Why would this happen?

Our circumstances, whether happy or sad, don't last forever. Our lives can be so up & down because of the things going on around us. So why do we focus on these temporary things and base our theology on what we have experienced? Why do we tend to look for Jesus in the horrible things that happen to us simply because we live in a broken world? He is the Eternal One, forever holy and forever true. May we never blame Him for our happenings, but choose to worship Him still because He is bigger and better than what this world has to offer us.

I find this passage so immensely encouraging and hopeful. Thankfully, we are not those who are without hope. Because of the perfect life & perfect love of Jesus Christ, we too will one day be "swallowed up by life!"

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

I love that Heaven is such a mystery! I was just talking about this the other night with a friend. We both agreed that if we knew everything about our Home and this promise of new life, it wouldn't be as wonderful when we get there. Whether the judgement will be the moment we arrive or not until Jesus reclaims the earth, we can be confident that there is a place for us if we have accepted and received the blood of Christ in exchange for our sins, and if we have, as First John says, lived like Jesus here in this world.

So many nonbelievers and followers of different religions express their desire to go to heaven when they die. I must ask, why do you want to go and live with Jesus forever if you've never gotten to know Him in your lifetime?

Heaven IS Jesus! I don't care if my cat is there or if I'll get to see my great-grandmother. Yes, I care about them now, but I'll get to see JESUS! And hug Him and kiss His feet and finally, finally be made whole!!! That's what I believe heaven is all about. Meeting our Maker and worshipping Him forever and ever. If that sounds boring to you, then you don't know Jesus very well!

Darlene Zschech wrote, "The presence of God goes with you as you advance into the promises He has for you."

Let's determine to see Him in our lives and in our world. Keep running into all He has for you.

He has promised us that He will never leave our side. He prepares the way before us and follows close behind us.

What a great God!

As His presence surrounds you today, have a thankful heart and pursue HIS purposed for your life.

As Francis Chan said, "Jesus didn't die to follow us."

Make it your mission and your passion to know His heart & what He longs to see accomplished.

If you need help doing that, His Word and His Holy Spirit are there for you :)

Thank you, Jesus.

You have gone ahead, like a Bridegroom

to prepare a place for us, Your bride.

And we will see You!