Stepping Stones: Visiting Heaven on Earth

Transformational Thought

Each year in the small town where I grew up, the local park district ran a kite-flying contest. It was one of the main summer events for children…an all-day extravaganza. It was always my dream as a boy to win that contest, but I never seemed to have the money for a kite. One year, my mother decided “we” were going to win that contest. She built a kite with old wood, string, and paper from a couple of brown paper sacks. It was an ugly kite…until she finished her artwork.

On the front she drew a vision of heaven; she chose a picture from our big Bible as a guide. She used gold and silver crayons…it was an incredible masterpiece. She told me that God inspired the artist so that we could have a glimpse into heaven. Well, that day God must have inspired my mother…we all got a glimpse into heaven through her creative drawing.

At the contest, the kite couldn’t fly…just too heavy. But we won first prize for artistry! Life sometimes feels really heavy. But living in collaboration with God through Jesus can give us an awesome glimpse of heaven. Jesus’ miracles, attitude, character, and actions are a sneak preview of the grandeur of Heaven.

Today, when you see something wonderful, realize heaven is close, right at your fingertips, and celebrate. When you see something wrong, imagine what Heaven’s version would be, and through you, draw God into the situation, altering it to be more like Heaven. Don’t doubt…laugh…or walk away in resignation. The Holy Spirit is powerfully present in you. Begin to do this you-and-Him adventure that will continue throughout eternity in Heaven.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You, Father, for always being before me, leading me one stepping stone at a time closer to you. I thank You, Father, for Your reassurance that nothing in this creation can separate me from Your loving existence. I want to live my life focused on You, in the here and now. I do believe that You are always before me…leading and encouraging me. However, I struggle, Father, with living out that reality moment by moment. During those times when I am able to stay focused on You, my work becomes infused with Your presence and work becomes like play. I pray in the name of Him who was Heaven on Earth, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!

The Truth
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39