Glimmer in the Dark
“‘That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15–17
My Abba,
This portrait of heaven overwhelms me. When I get the slightest glimpse of what it might be like to live with you in heaven, it is almost too much for me to bear. I can’t put words together. I want to weep. I feel like my fragile frame may come undone.
More and more, I understand why this is my experience. You are perfectly beautiful in every way. That is who you are. So being overwhelmed by a glimpse of such magnificence is understandable.
I hear some, who report to believe in you, say, “Growing old is better than the alternative!” That shows our incredible lack of understanding about heaven. It breaks my heart.
Immerse our hearts in the unspeakable joy of your presence so that we may understand, in some small way, the fullness of joy that will be possible when we see you face to face.
Please help this homesick child to be on a wondrous journey with you today, exploring your beauty and entering into the joy of glorifying you.
Write your name all over my day.
I love you,
Mollie
My Child,
You can’t imagine the experience of heaven. It is beyond your most untamed, spectacular dreams. Heaven is not just an absence of tears, hunger, thirst, the scorching sun of suffering, and all evil. It is the perfect symphony of love, grace, joy, beauty, justice, mercy, and peace — uninterrupted, always.
I want the reality of heaven to nourish your heart when things are rough. But I also want you to enjoy my presence now, even in the midst of pain that may feel like a battering ram on the front door of your heart. You don’t have to wait until you see me face to face to experience the joy of knowing me.
On days where you feel bound to what appears to be a less-than-ideal life, look to me, the Author of Life. Even on this side of heaven, I can infuse life into places where death seems to circle you.
Nothing that wars against you can stand against me. I have no worthy opponents. Come to me with the tamest of skirmishes and the brutal, full-scale wars.
One day, you will stand before my throne, eternally sheltered and utterly free. But until then, remember, we are still inseparable. And together, we can do this.
I love you,
Abba
Photo: i.zhuravlov
NLT
Glimmer in the Dark
I have seen ocean’s
shimmering turquoise skirts
curling into the warm, white lap of sand.
I have seen spring bloom,
ruby and sapphire,
spilling down lazy hills into eager land.
I have seen sunset’s amber waves
washing against
scarlet smudged horizons.
I have seen the cypress
dip jade fingers into icy streams
seeking solace from the sun.
I have seen a proud mountain peak
cast off her cloudy veil
to gaze into the flawless
cobalt canopy of heaven.
I have heard the fragile melody
of dawn’s first song
welcoming the light.
I have heard the hush
of whispering water
dropping secrets
among broken boulders
under a silent sky.
I have heard symphonies
of summer night creatures
lulling the earth to sleep.
I have heard the laughter
of carefree rivulets skipping
from cliffs into azure deep.
I have heard the gentle breath
of a smooth breeze stroking
the blushing faces of fall trees.
I have imagined the beauty of heaven,
where everyone lives in your love,
where no one is ever abandoned,
broken, despairing, or numb.
I imagine a time when we become
the delightful creatures
you made us to be.
Nothing torn or tarnished or ugly.
All of us radiant in your image,
free from the ravages of our wars.
We will be whole and wholly yours.
No disease, strife, gossip, or greed.
No tears or broken hearts that grieve.
No one in pieces.
No lies or enemies.
No dreams snatched away.
No disappointments or dismay.
No mistakes, hopelessness,
or making do.
Just one glorious taste after another
of you.
But these imaginations
are drab cloth
in light of what you
have prepared for us.
I am finite. You are not.
My wildest fantasy cannot
come close to your thoughts.
But I will keep on imagining,
even though I miss the mark.
For it is delightful to know
my most extravagant dream
is only a glimmer in the dark.