Can I Get a Witness?
Here at the Casa de Vick, we don’t venture too far from the house very often so a vacation is a big deal for us. In fact, our last real “pack more that one suitcase and fly somewhere” vacation was over a year ago. A month or so before our trip, I somehow or another fell into a random conversation with a woman who had visited our intended destination many times. When she learned that we were headed to one of her own personal favorites, her face lit up! She began to recommend certain restaurants, scenic highway drives and stops with the best views, quaint shops of every kind, and other fun, useful information. My mental notepad filled up quickly as I tried to tuck away her suggestions.
She described locations and experiences in such detail that I almost felt as if I were there. Her word pictures stirred up my already-stoked desire to just be there already! And when we finally did arrive at our vacation spot a month later, I found her advice and recommendations to be spot on – and the scenery even better than I had been able to imagine! My casual friend had been an accurate eyewitness to the beauty I now beheld.
As much as I enjoyed that trip, I mostly live vicariously through the travels of friends and family. I get a kick out of listening to their stories, and I’ll look at their thousands of photos all day long! I’m happy to hear all about their adventures and explorations.
There is, however, one place that I can’t wait to go to myself, and once I’m there, I’m staying! Heaven is a place where my Friend Jesus has invited me to come and live forever, and I’ve given a hearty “yes!” to His invitation.
He Himself came from heaven, and He’s since returned there so I’m convinced that the details that He’s provided through His Word are true. Even sweeter, He’s anxiously expecting me. Turns out, He’s even got a place ready for me (John 14:2-3) in a city that God has prepared for His children (Hebrews 11:16). This new place will make the most fabulous vacation look like a run-down neighborhood park – so spectacular (1 Corinthians 2:9)!
I’ll never be lonely because I’ll be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and boredom won’t be a thing because I’ll be occupied with recounting His amazing attributes as I worship Him (Isaiah 40:21-29). No fear of death will be found there (Psalm 16:9-10). I’ll dwell in my Father’s house, surrounded by His goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6). The body I inhabit will be imperishable and will bear His image (1 Corinthians 15:49). Goodbye, tears. Goodbye, death and sorrow and crying. (Revelation 21:4)
Jesus came from heaven – His Father’s home – so He knew exactly what it was like (John 1:1-1, John 3:13). He came to not only describe it to us as an accurate eyewitness, but also to invite all who would trust Him to one day join in the joy found in that home. In John 17:20-21, Jesus prayed for those who would take Him up on His invitation and that they would continue to invite any and all who would trust Him: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
Just as Jesus was a faithful witness to all of heaven’s glories and what it holds, we’re now called to be faithful witnesses to the world. Having been transformed by Jesus when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, we’re now commissioned to carry His message of salvation to those who’ve yet to receive it.
Somewhere on the Father’s calendar, there’s a date that only He knows (Matthew 24:36) when Jesus will return to finally gather His believers from all over the world and take them to Paradise Promised. I have a feeling it will be even better – far better – than anything we could have imagined! Jesus has told us what it’s like, and we can trust His witness. As believers, are we sharing with the world the new life we’ve received, what we’ve experienced as children of God, and the hope of heaven? He longs for all to be included in that beautiful plan, but that requires His people to boldly and lovingly proclaim the gospel. Can I get a witness?
