Getting Prepared

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.” John 14:1-3 CEV

May 1st our park model home was delivered. We bought it without ever walking into a finished representation of this model. We had picked out the colors of the floors, cabinets, and exterior. The first time we saw it was when it was delivered but it wasn’t ready.

It had to be leveled, anchored, electric and plumbing had to be connected. Skirting and awning needed to be added. Air conditioning definitely needed to be installed. Still not ready to move it. We needed to buy furniture, our clothes needed to be hung in the closet, dishes in the cupboards and food in the fridge.

You get the idea. There was much to do to be ready for occupancy.

The last couple of weeks we (Dave and our friends) have been building a storage shed and the landscapers were here to put down a paver patio. Last week we painted three sides of the shed and today we’ll finish that project. Then it needs the final plumbing installed and finished out on the inside. The bar-b-q area needs to be completed, the washer/dryer, freezer and shelves moved in.

Then it will be complete. Let’s be realistic. From May 1st to November 1st, we have been and will be in a state of preparation. And when it’s done, I will be ecstatic.

Friends and family will come, and we will have a wonderful time of fellowship. In it’s unfinished state we’ve been havin’ folks over, and it’s been great but I’m looking forward to not being in a state of construction.

For the last almost two thousand years, heaven has been in a state of preparedness. Mansions are being built. Streets of gold are in place, pearl gates have been hung, the perfect environment has been created. God’s throne is in the center and there’s a place for each of us.

I know it’s almost ready – just a little more trim to paint, maybe a curtain or two to be hung. I feel Jesus is getting excited and asking the Father, “is it time to go get them and bring them home?”

Anticipation on earth is increasing as well. We’ve seen the description of heaven in the Bible. We’ve even heard stories from people who have had a sneak peak into what it’s like.

Now is the time to have our hearts prepared for His return.

“After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.

Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.” Acts 1:9-11 CEV

Keep looking up. He’ll be back very soon!!

Fine Tuning the Details

Yesterday I spent a number of hours working on the itinerary for our trip to Greece.

For almost five years Dave and I have dreamed of and planned for a real vacation in the Greek Islands. At first, we thought we would need to use a travel agent to put it all together but the more we thought about all the little details we wanted to include we decided to do our own planning.

We are now seven weeks and two days from departure…but who’s counting!

Yesterday time was spent on ferry reservations, inter-island flights and finalizing hotel reservations. We are so excited! We want the trip to be as near perfect as possible and so every detail needs to be considered.

At one point yesterday Dave had a number of questions. That’s what he does; he thinks of all the little stuff that others overlook. It was then I had to say, “Trust me, I’ve got it taken care of”.

Have you ever planned a bucket list event? The details seem to be endless. I wonder if that’s how Jesus feels.

“Jesus said, ‘Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.'” John 14:1-2 ERV

There it is – Trust in God, trust in me!

God, the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit have lived in the perfection of heaven since eternity past and still Jesus said to His disciples, and to us, I have some more preparation to do before you come.

The streets are paved with gold, the Father’s throne is in the center so all will come and worship Him. The gates are made from a single pearl and the walls are precious stones.

I feel very confident that the great gathering of those who follow Christ isn’t too far off. The final preparations are almost complete.

 ‘There will be special things to look for in the sun and moon and stars. The nations of the earth will be troubled and will not know what to do. They will be troubled at the angry sea and waves. 26 The hearts of men will give up because of being afraid of what is coming on the earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and much greatness. 28 When these things begin to happen, lift up your heads because you have been bought by the blood of Christ and will soon be free.’” Luke 21:25-28 NLV

I don’t know if Christ will return in my lifetime, but details are falling into place. Final preparations are being made and it’s almost time to go. Keep looking up, He’s coming soon!

Grateful for Home

We sure enjoyed our time in California at our granddaughter’s wedding. Last night I was telling someone how good it was to see all seven of our grandkids and our great granddaughter. We treasure those times but it’s always good to be home.

Visiting friends and family is nice. The love, the laughter, the sweet memories shared. Away is good but home is better!

Jesus knew that feeling. When He said these words, He had been on earth thirty-three years and soon He would be going home!

“Jesus said, ‘Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.’

5 Thomas said, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

6 Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.'” John 14:1-6 ERV

Imagine Jesus’ disappointment. He has lived and worked with these men side-by-side for 3 years and as He talks to them about His leaving, His home going, they act as if they have no understanding of who He really is and what He came to do.

Sometimes we act the same way. When we see what’s going on around us are we at peace or do our hearts have fear and anxiety? Jesus told his disciples – Do not worry and the Apostle Paul says the same thing.

 “Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

Life on earth may seem like days of wandering, like camping. There will come a day that the campout is over, and we will all arrive at our forever home. Since we belong to Christ, we have God’s promise of peace here and a home custom-built for us in heaven.

“Abraham lived in the country that God promised to give him. He lived there like a visitor who did not belong. He did this because he had faith. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who also received the same promise from God. 10 Abraham was waiting for the city that has real foundations. He was waiting for the city that is planned and built by God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 ERV

God is good! I am so grateful to know that someday I’ll be going home!