“Behold, I am making all things new! (Rev.21:5). “Let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
Lord Jesus, you don’t just call us to encourage one another on a daily basis, but to do so with hearts filled with anticipation, joy, and hope. Our future is WAY beyond our greatest dreams, anything we can imagine, and everything we have ever thought about heaven. Lest we forget, what are a few realities we can look forward to on tiptoes with joy?
- We will see you as you are, Jesus, and instantly we will become as 100% as loving and as lovely as you—astonishing, but true. (1 John 3:1-3). It will be impossible for us to ever sin again and only possible for us to love.
- The expiration date on all evil, sin, brokenness, and sickness will arrive. There won’t be just the elimination all of our pain, wounds, and sorrows—but also their redemption. Every relationship we have will be perfect—no exceptions. We’ll have an every-nation family as numerous as the stars, sand, and dust—and we’ll love each other as much as you love us.
- It will be like the Garden of Eden on Gospel-steroids—for you aren’t making all new things, but all things new. Every longing you’ve written into our DNA as your image bearers, and everything you’ve planned for us before the world began will come to fruition and fulfillment. Hallelujah times a gazillion!
How then shall we live until then, Jesus? Life is too short and the end of our Story too glorious for us to stay preoccupied with our little fiefdoms of “me-myself-and-I.” May we vex less and rejoice more—living and loving as those “on mission”—supporting the work of the Gospel at home and around the world. May our intentional encouragements outnumber our thoughtless criticisms 10 to 1. May we love you more than we ever have, Jesus. So Very Amen.
