THIS IS HEAVEN!

What do you think heaven is like? How do you picture it, either from knowledge of the Bible or personal thoughts? Streets of gold? Angel choirs? Conversation with famous saints? Good food and old friends?

This past weekend my son was in Cooperstown, NY, for the induction ceremony at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Brian has been a lifelong baseball fan and is a walking encyclopedia of stats and trivia. He's also a fan of Jim Rice, former Red Sox star outfielder and one of the weekend inductees.

Saturday evening Brian called with an animated description of the thrill of walking around a lovely town and rubbing shoulders with so many baseball legends. He later emailed us with more observations, as well as a list of baseball players he saw and how it affected him. 

"I am telling you, you guys have to come here, especially during induction weekend. It's amazing how many faces [of former baseball greats] you can see. The village here is wonderfully quiet, the houses are old brick structures with all kinds of history and it is so green everywhere. And really it is fairly cheap to visit here provided you don't plan on buying a bunch of merchandise. Anything Yankees or Red Sox you can imagine is on sale." He ended up his phone conversation with, "I think I'll retire here - this is heaven!"

So, what is heaven like to you? I try to imagine whom I'd like to meet there that would be as thrilling. Would a day in heaven include hobnobbing with Peter about discipleship, or talking theology with Paul, or sharing a heavenly brew with Martin and Katie? Would it include the joy of running into Mom and Dad and sharing my life with Carol or our boys or grandchildren? Would I be surprised at some who were there, as well as some who were not?

Maybe the peace and joy of heaven will have nothing to do with what gives us joy now. We can only imagine it based on personal experience. I dream of singing in angel choirs with no rehearsals, where everyone knew his/her part, and perhaps landing a solo. Would I meet people who overcame great odds, or prospered due to advice or encouragement given?

We don't know, of course. But we do know we'll be thrilled to be there, and especially to meet God face-to-face. That's enough - the greatest thrill of all - just to stand in His presence.

What I can't understand is why folks think it's enlightened to deny God and heaven. Why is life better with no faith? What's so wise about believing there's nothing after death, that the door slams shut, and the grave is all that's left? What's so great about believing in nothing but this life?  

One day heaven will be plain to all believers. Jesus once prayed, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." (Matthew 11:25) I'd rather live as a little child of faith than perish with the learned.

I wonder if there's a heavenly Hall of Fame!