The Promise of Heaven

Author Sandra Aldrich writes about her children’s first experience with a visitation at a funeral home.   Her youngest stared at the casket and asked “is she breathing?”  The older child quickly answered, “No, she’s not breathing.  Remember?  The breathin’ part’s in heaven.”

This little story gives me comfort today as we learn of yet another death among our membership at Peace.  A believer now has his “breathin’ part” in heaven.  Left behind are those who loved him dearly, hurting and stunned, but also clinging to the assurance of Easter, the assurance that He is now breathin’ with Jesus. 

Your soul, your “breathin’ part” isn’t in heaven yet.  It’s here for now.  Discouragements, set backs, broken relationships, and struggles of all kinds bring us down.  It is so easy to forget the hope that is ours in Easter.  Life is hard, but God is good and He promises us the crown of eternal life.  The promise of heaven can strengthen our difficult days and help us smile, knowing that we aren’t Home yet, but that wonderful day is coming for each of us.  Jesus said to Martha: “I am the Resurrection and the Life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

                                                                    Polly Wegner, DCE
                                                                    Director of Discipleship
                                                                    pwegner@peacelutheran.net

A mini lesson from the Psalms:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart… May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19: 7, 8, 14

When we think of law we often think of something that keeps us from having fun.  But here we see the opposite – law revives us, makes us wise, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, warns us, and rewards us.  That’s because God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains dragging us down.  Together, let’s be in God’s Word to know Him better and be guided by Him.

Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first?  In this psalm David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were offerings brought to the altar.  As we begin each day, let’s determine that God’s love will guide what we say and how we think.

Be Blessed,

Polly Wegner, DCE

Director of Discipleship