- I woke very early and began to pray, longing to meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Then this little dialogue came into my mind, starting with a very familiar question:
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42;2; NIV).
- It crossed my mind that there would surely be so many people crowding around Jesus that my chance of even glimpsing him in heaven would be very small. However, I then saw that in heaven we will all be like Jesus:
We will be like him (1 John 3:2; NLT).
- This means there will always be more than enough of Jesus to go round, because he will be fully present within everyone in heaven, just as he is on earth:
The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21; NLT).
- So I don’t have to wait until after my death to meet Jesus, because I can already see him here, if I look with the eyes of love. This makes my life “heaven on earth”:
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
- Living in heaven on earth means consciously recognising and loving Christ in everyone, without exception:
Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him (Luke 24:31; NLT).
- Fortunately, living in heaven on earth doesn’t depend on my being well enough to serve in major ways that require lots of energy and strength:
My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; NKJV).
- Thus, whatever I do for others serves Christ within them. This includes, for example, every smile, greeting, chat, hug, encouragement, gift, prayer, or kindness, however small:
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:49; NIV).
praying heaven on earth lots and lots!