“I just wish we had something to look forward to,” my friend said the other day. I understood what she meant – every activity, every trip, every get-together canceled and no firm end in sight. Yes, it’s necessary. But that doesn’t erase the validity of her feelings about it. It’s ok to be sad, even about small things.
Perhaps clearing our calendars has created space to build a greater anticipation for a deeper satisfaction that’s coming than the world could ever offer. Most of the time, we’re too much focused on the ‘right now’ to be able to appreciate the ‘not yet’. But we need a ‘not yet’ perspective to endure the hardships we face.
Like a lot of people, I’ve used this bonus time at home to tackle some of those less glamorous cleaning projects. The other day, I came across an old school assignment and was transported to a much better place than my basement and a much better day than the one I was having. I’ve shared it below in the hopes it will remind you of a ‘not yet’ that’s coming and that is totally worth looking forward to.
My ears are full of noise; cars honking; dogs barking; the wail of sirens; birds chirping as people rush by, encased in their own hopes and dreams and loudly discussing how they’re going to realize their potential; the heartbeat of the waves crashing against the shore; the swishing of the wind through the trees; the whisper of grass as it struggles its way through the weight of the atmosphere. And farther off, the sound of planets rushing by, coming close, closer, too close, only to veer off at the last possible second; rays of sunlight hurtling through space in an effort to nourish the life awaiting beyond; stars twinkling, releasing their gases with a furious hissing as comets sweep past. This is the universe living and breathing and groaning as it spirals through the cosmos.
Underneath it all, like a distant whisper, sounds the trumpet blast. It’s clear and pure and true, like liquid melody poured slowly, now faster, faster still, now fastest yet, slowing again into the ear to reverberate against the eardrum until it subsides again to simply the faintest remembrance of hush.
And the universe is suddenly quiet, drawn into a trance of joy, ecstatic rapture mingled with strained anticipation. Before the note has died away, a new heavens and a new earth arise out of the fabric of the universe and take shape before my wondering eyes, while the old recedes into the same cloth.
Luxurious air caresses my face with delicate, haunting fingers, whispering sweet nothings in my ear and twining invisible flowers through my hair. I wander across the earth, fresh and bright and alive with rebirth, soaking in the glory that shines from the land itself. I am eager to finally satiate the gnawing in my stomach for the fruit of the tree of life, its luscious juices licked and savored and allowed to trickle oh so slowly down my throat so each mouthful will last forever. There’s a quickening desire to quench my parched throat with the cool, clear water of life. My soul strains in fervent suspense.
Dazzling green fields are filled with eager flowers, their hungry faces lifted up for a kiss. Memories of the sterile flatness of skyscrapers etched against a haze-filled sky vanish as my eyes behold the fluid beauty of heaven’s metropolis. The treasures of the nations, treasured for millennia by greedy hearts, are here nothing more than building materials.
The path that led here is well-worn, etched in the unyielding earth like a tiny ray of hope and promise in an ever-darkening world. My journey’s end, the fulfillment of my deepest longings, lies at the throne of the One who guided me here. His blood bought and paid for my passage, and I have Him alone to thank. I’m eager to gaze for the first time on His face, yet somewhat overwhelmed. Will He accept me? Love me with all my faults? Is this place really mine to call home forever? And then I remember – He has never left or forsaken me before.
The cares and worries of my heart are silenced as He takes my hand and leads me out onto the streets of gold to make me over again. We pause at the Cross, where He buys me new eyes to peer out the nooks and crannies of this incredible place and to gaze on His glory, bought with a drop of His precious blood; and new hands to feel and take hold of the wonders that await me, bought with another two drops of His blood; and new feet, to follow where He leads, another drop; and new ears to hear Him speaking to me, another five drops; and a new mouth with which to join the angels in praising Him, another seven drops; and a new mind, to comprehend what it means to be His forever, a whole pint of His blood; and a new heart to make me perfect and holy in His sight, another two pints…
He continues to buy, handing me His purchases and asking me to take them as a gift, until He has bought me a whole new life at the cost of His whole life. Then He turns to me with a smile and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share my happiness!”
Consider Jesus, who, for the joy set before him, endured the Cross… so you do not grow weary and give up. Hebrews 12:2-3, paraphrase