I'm waiting on a new pair of glasses.
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| Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash |
At my appointment, when the eye doctor asked how my eyes had been, I hesitantly told her that I thought maybe something had changed, but wasn't sure if it was real or I was imaging it. Eyes can be funny like that and (if I'm honest) I didn't want to look like an idiot if, in fact, my prescription was the same. The exam revealed, however, that I do indeed need a slightly stronger prescription. It was delightful to get a brief look through the lenses on the exam apparatus at how much clearer the world around me was about to be!
I'm pumped about the new glasses.
My daughter was with me at the appointment and helped me pick a new pair. I don't really remember what they look like. What excites me most is how much better I'm going to be able to see. Every time I think about it I'm like, "Oh man, I hope they call today to tell us our glasses are ready!" despite the fact that that's completely unrealistic. The process usually takes about two weeks.
My exctiment about new glasses may be irrational.
It feels like waiting for Christmas or my birthday or something, eagerly anticipating that maybe today will be the day they call for us to come pick up our new spectacles! Though obviously they won't call today, becuase it's Sunday and they're not open. Ha!
Fortunately, all this nervous energy is not a loss, because my ridiculous enthusiasm about these glasses did get me thinking about heaven. Here's where my mind went a few days ago, shortly after another "I can't wait for my glasses" moment:
What if I anticipated the coming of the new heaven and the new earth
with the same energy as awaiting these new glasses?
Seriously, WHAT IF?
Jesus promised He is coming back. The new heavens and the new earth will be like Eden restored. I'll never have to have another eye doctor appointment. Life won't be haunted by the reality of decay and death. We'll see Christ in all His glory, God will dwell again with us, and none will struggle to walk by the Spirit. I cannot even imagine it. But oh, I want to more!
Guys, picture not having to wear glasses, go to the doctor, friction in relationships, nations at war, diseases running rampant, or even a worry in your heart? The new heavens and the new earth will be like that!
Let's dispense of thinking of naked babies playing harps or even that we have to spend enternity singing hymns before the masssive throne of God. There are glimpses of the latter in Scripture; it's gonna be like that sometimes I think (because we'll just be busting with praise, each in their own language and cultural form - super cool). But let's not miss the additional vision of the new heavens and new earth and the dwelling place of God among men again. God is going to set all things right and really and truly make all things new. All of life will be worship as He intended for us and it'll be glorious!
I wanna await that as eagerly as, no, MORE eagerly, than I await these silly glasses.
I'll likely need stronger glasses every time I visit the eye doctor for the rest of my life. But one day, I'm gonna SEE-SEE, and it's gonna be beyond my wildest dreams!
What are you waiting for these days? May God to use those fleeting moments of joy and anticipation to help us zealously anticipate the eternal, all-fulfilling, never-ending delight and wholeness coming our way through Jesus our Lord!*
For now we see only as a reflection in a mirror, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
*If you're not familiar with God's love and what He has done for us in Jesus. Shoot me a message; I have good news for you!
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