Sometimes when this world has left me empty and has disappointed me I dream of Heaven. It helps me take my eyes off of my circumstances and place them on the reality that awaits me. It awaits for you too.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” The he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21: 1-7

I love that John was given this vision and he was faithful to write it down for you and me. I love that God spoke to John and told him intimate details of what he will do for his children that overcome this world. It overwhelms me. Visualizing him wiping away my tears bring me tears today. The dream of not having any more death, mourning, crying or pain makes me long for Christ to come.

Like John, God allowed me to get a glimpse of Heaven when I was watching my grandmother rest in her hospital room while my mom went downstairs to call and set up the Hospice Nurse. I was the only one in the room when she woke up. She looked over at me and called me by name. This took me by surprise as she suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. She told me it was the most beautiful white she had ever seen. She went on to tell me she was going up the mountain and asked me if I thought she would know when she made it to the top. I held her hand and wiped away her tears as she continued to tell me what she saw. “I saw my mother and brother, they were smiling at me.” I knew that my precious Mema was on her journey to her forever home, and the peace that was ushered in was from God himself to me. I am forever grateful for that amazing moment with my grandmother. He allowed me to get a real glimpse of the glory that awaits for you and for me. Heaven is REAL sweet friends. This world is not our home. We are on a journey to the most beautiful and forever home we could ever receive and the BEST news is our God will dwell with us there. We will get to walk with him and talk with him. We will get to worship him all of our days. It will never grow old. I simply stand in AWE and can’t wait. Meanwhile, our charge as His followers is to keep marching on. Keep trusting in Him, the one who is faithful. He is making all things new. He told us that his words are trustworthy and true.

Did you know that all are invited to come? There’s no one unwelcome. I love this new song by Sidewalk Prophets. Take a listen. Let every word soak into your heart and help you breathe in His rich peace, grace and mercy that He offers. The invitation is easy to receive.  Jesus tells us in Mark 1:15, “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.”