Free at Last

With my sister going to Piedmont (2 Cor. 5:7), I allow myself to entertain what might be a foolish hope, and indeed does seem to be. Perhaps, between now and then, the LORD will see fit to heal me. In the About Me section, I mentioned that GOD gave my mother two dreams. One was of her and my father in an unfamiliar church, which turned out to be the first SDA church I attended. The other was of me walking. The first one came to pass; the second one, not yet. Since that time other people we have met have had similar dreams. (Or perhaps just one person. I can't remember now.) I am confident that it will happen one day.

Yet I can't help hoping that it will be soon. No more worrying about whether a place is handicap accessible. No more people having to take me to the bathroom-I'll be able to walk there myself. Best of all, no more people assuming I'm intellectually challenged as well as physically-no more pitying looks or voices dripping with the artificial sweetness of condescension! People won't give me a second thought. I will just be one among many, as far as physical conditions go, at least. For the first time, I will be able to jump, hop, skip, spin, run. For the first time, I will be able to learn how to ride a bike, and maybe even climb a tree (I know even some able-bodied folks can't do that)! For the first time, I will be able to go out with simply my sister-because, after all, I am old enough. I will have opportunities, I hope, to eventually colporteur with her. Yes, that day will be a great day, friends!

There is a thought that is sweeter than that, however. The thought of heaven and the New Earth. I know that when Jesus heals, He heals every part, but even the best health here doesn't compare to that of heaven. And besides, unless I am alive and found to be faithful when Jesus returns, I will one day have to go to my rest. In heaven and the New Earth, there is no chance of death, no chance of weak, stiff legs, no chance of hands with crippled fingers. I want to be fit for the heavenly courts, even if my body were to never get better. The joys there will far exceed the greatest blessing we could receive while here.

Just as I will have to go to my rest with a healed body if Jesus doesn't return before I get too old, so will the temporal things you may be working for fade away after you pass on. Earthly joys, whether good or not, are ephemeral, transitory. They won't last. One day everything here will be burned up along with the wicked, and Jesus will "make all things new." (Revelation 21:5). We have His promise. The verse continues thus: "And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Where will you be?

Laying aside worldly plans and pursuing an entrance into the celestial kingdom isn't an easy thing to do, nor is the road one has to travel always pleasant. In fact, it may mean facing more hardship than you ever have before; but wouldn't you rather want to make it there, and be free at last-free from sorrow, pain, and death- than to have it made here, and then lose it and your life as well?

Blessings,
Jean