Strollin' by Faith

Jun. 26, 2006

Longin' for Glory...

My pastor is teachin' through the Book of Revelation. It's always been a book that I fear. I mean, there's scary stuff in there. Combine that with that fact that I didn't know if I was "pre-trib", "post-trib", etc. My head hurt just thinkin' about it all. However, I am grateful for my pastor's sermons because he is helpin' me to comprehend better what God is communicatin' to His Beloved.

Yesterday I was ponderin' the passages that talk about bein' ready for Jesus, waitin' for the Lord's return, livin' every moment with the belief and hope that this could be the hour of our glorious rapture! Did I do this? Do I wait for Jesus with longin'? Do I, as my pastor challenged, wake up in the mornin' and think, "Will it be today, Lord?"

The answer is yes and no.

I do have moments when I long for Heaven. Those moments seem to coincide with times of trial or heartache. I might read an article about atrocities done to children and cry out, "Lord, please deliver us from this world!" When I think of my precious Gabriel, gone before me to Heaven, I smile and pray, "Lord, I'm ready to be reunited with my child!"

But when my heart is light and my days are filled with laughter, do I long for Glory? Sadly no.

As I pondered this further, I realized that I am livin' a real life example of what it means to long for Heaven.

My Beloved has been gone 2 1/2 months now. For the first 2 months, time past rather quickly. I knew my Mighty Warrior would be gone for a long time, and I just set my mind to remain occupied and strong for my children. I really didn't think too much about Carl's return because it was a fruitless exercise, it would be a long time.

Yet as time grows near, I feel my impatience begin to rise. I do not know the exact time of his arrival because even once he's left where he is, his return is subject to various travel conditions that could mean a speedy return or another few weeks, but whether it be a few days or a few weeks, I know it is soon, and I want to be ready.

I've been cleanin' my house and preparin' for the return of my Beloved. I want it to sparkle when he enters. I'm pourin' through new and old cookbooks, lookin' for new recipes that would really communicate to my Honey's heart how much I honor and cherish him. I browse my closet, carefully selectin' what he would find most beautiful. I'm settin' my mind to think of bein' reunited with my Beloved, cravin' the time of special intimacy between a man and his wife.

Yet, even as I prepare, I do still go about my day with my children. We laugh and play, we "do school" (we don't break for the summer because we tend to take mini-breaks throughout the year when convenient), we go to Dr.'s appointments and get together with friends. Everyone understands that our plans are tentative and subject to immediate cancellation should my Beloved return. Nothin' is more important than bein' ready and waitin' for him at the airport.

What a picture of how I should live my life as I wait for my ultimate Beloved! He comin' for me, His Bride! His time is near! It could be today, it could be ten years, He may not rapture His Bride in my lifetime, but the end of my earthly life (which is also but a blip in time and could come at any given moment) will also reunite me with my God and my Savior, so either way, I'm in Glory.

I need to be "cleanin' my house" for my Groom! Through Christ, today is the day to break free of bondage that steals my joy. Through Christ, today is the day that I give unashamed testimony of His Love for me and all those who might believe, all my friends know that my husband is first and foremost in my heart and plans, how much more so do they need to know that my Savior comes even before my husband! My heart weighs heavy with the knowledge that I have loved ones that will not be in Paradise, and my heart is heavier still that I have not shared with them His longin' for them. Through Christ, today is the day I share God's redeemin' sacrifice paid all those years ago by His Only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I want my house (my heart) to sparkle for my Lord. I want to be presented before Him with beauty. I want my life to be a testimony of my love, honor and worship of Him. Most of all, I want to be ready.

I am ready. Lord Jesus, should the trumpets call today, Your Bride is ready and waitin'!

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Comments

Jun. 26, 2006 - oohhh....

Posted by ABlessedLife

wow
and
ouch

true, true...

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Jun. 26, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Dell

Great analagies here! Thanks for sharing them!

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Jun. 26, 2006 - That was lovely!

Posted by SusannahCox

And so insightful! Thank you for sharing it.

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Jul. 7, 2006 - no more goodbyes

Posted by lyntley

and the beautiful thing is when Glory comes we wont ever have to say goodbye again!

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Jul. 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by danib

I always appreciate your posts, my dear. You are so grounded and so submitted to Him; it shows in your writing. Thank you for encouraging me.

We've been struggling to get back on our feet after the restaurant/BnB disaster last fall. We're doing everything we can to make enough money to meet our bills, and one of the ways is the farmer's market. My sweetheart sells breads and pastries that the entire community drools over, and business is good. But he's spending less and less time with us in order to get it done. Then today, I discovered (through preparing for a battle with the Health Board tomorrow night over exorbitant permits and fees) that in the first four weeks of the market, we've made less than five dollars! What are we doing this for?!

I'm getting verses thrown at me from all sides (unbeknownst to the people telling me the verses) that I need to back off of trying so hard and trust Him. But I'm so scared to stop trying. I shouldn't be afraid; He's taught me so much lately about faith and trust in HIm. Anyway, you're another voice in the choir; thanks.

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Jul. 11, 2006 - I guess I never really stated my point ...

Posted by danib

... which is, how can we be prepared for His return if we're so focused elsewhere, even if it is for our very sustenance?

That's the tie-in to your post.

Thanks again.

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About Me

Now that it's 2006, I'm challenged to make every moment, every word, every breath and action count for God. I've spent far too much time lost in sloth, but praise be to God for igniting new fires! Here is my journey to becoming my Savior's bride as I delve into what it means to be a "keeper of the home".