The One Where Jesus Brings Us Home

Death. It is the one thing we can be certain that will happen to every one of us. Unless the Lord returns sooner than later. If not, we are all going to die at some point. God has a set time for us on Earth that only He knows. When our time ends, we are going to die. That's the plain, honest reality of it.

Knowing this is going to happen can either bring you joy or terrify you or something in the middle of both joy and terror. The Bible says if you confess Jesus is your Lord and truly believe, trust, and accept the gift Jesus gave by sacrificing His life so you can have yours and give your life to God, you have the assurance of going to Heaven to be with God for all eternity. God has planted eternity in our hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) If you have said in your heart, "Jesus, here's my life. It's all yours. I'm holding nothing back. Lord, you can have it all", the Holy Spirit is with you and you are guaranteed a place in Heaven. Heaven is described as paradise. The perfect Eden. Death will come on this Earth; however, eternity is also going to come after Earth. It's a promise.

John 6:40 "For it is my Father's will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

A few weekends ago I was stacking wood. I was super proud of the majestic and TALL pyramid of wood I had made. Pride ends in disaster by the way. I was going to start a second pyramid right in front of the first so I was unloading the next barrel full into a new row.

I heard a weird "crack" noise that didn't sound familiar or right. I immediately stepped to the right as quick as I could and just that fast the entire pyramid came tumbling down. Thankfully, not on top of me. Instead it all hit me on the left side of my body. I encountered a few bumps and scratches on my head and body to add to my collection but I was ok. I like to think my beloved pink crocks saved my feet because they actually ended up with no bumps or marks even with all that wood piled on top of them. My initial thought when the wood was falling was "oh - so this is how I'm going to die". Then the wood stopped falling and I was really totally fine. Joe hollered so loud "ARE YOU OK!?!?" I of course answered quickly "I'm fine, I'm fine!" So no, I guess that was not how I was going out of this world. Clearly God isn't quite done with me here yet. I reluctantly stacked the wood again but in much lower and more level piles.

There are those times when God brings wisdom through experience as well.

Max Lucado points out in his "Traveling Light" book that God sends many people into our lives to teach us, give us the medical attention our bodies need, grow our spirits and so on. The coolest thing though? God doesn't send anyone to bring us to Heaven. He does this important task Himself! You are so worthy and so loved that God reserves the right to bring you to Heaven for Himself. He is so excited to bring His precious children home that He wants the privilege to do that all for Himself. That was the coolest revelation to me. I've read the Bible so many times and didn't realize that.

John 14: 2-3 "There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you so that you will always be with me where I am."

Jesus loves you SOOO much He is coming to get you Himself when you die if you believe in Him as your Lord and Savior! ....Let that just sink in a minute.

That brings even more peace and joy when I think about death. Knowing my Father in Heaven not only has his hands wrapped around me through this walk on Earth and is carrying me through so many things, but that He also is the one that will be coming to get me and bring me home when I die. I'm in no hurry for my life to end; however, when my time does come, I'm excited to see Jesus as He comes to bring me home.