8-Jan-15

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:24-25No painter can paint the hope I have of Heaven.  Through my life I have hoped for many things — a husband, a home and children.  And as I come to the end of life, I hope for what is not seen — Heaven.

But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  I Corinthians 2:9-10.

No matter how I try to imagine, God’s thoughts are not my thoughts, and I cannot imagine what God has prepared for me.  Have you ever been told that someone has a surprise for you?  Then begins the tingle and the anticipation of longing just to know, to see, to experience that surprise.  I live in expectation of knowing what God has prepared for me, after this life is over.  Mom voiced impatience as she waited for God to call her home.  Will I be impatient?

As I write, the outside thermometer says two degrees and snow covers the ground.  What will we see in Heaven? Then I read the following verse…  it is imperative that we walk in a manner worthy of the calling with the God-like qualities of humility, gentleness and with patience.  This is not a ‘jumping up and down’ surprise.  It is delivered in the calmness of surety of God.

Wait, there is more.  Unity of the Spirit.  What is that?  It is bearing with one another in love.  No matter if I can’t get my way, I forgive — in love — every one I meet.  Eager.  Not if it suits me, but eager to maintain the unity of the spirit — bonded in peace.  God’s peace, the peace that we don’t understand.

Yes, Lord, Yes.  Let me be a beacon of light, a bearer of your love, and keeper of your peace.  Amen, Amen.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 3:1-3