Things began to take on a little more clarity for me when my little grandson Ryan died. We had prayed and believed God for Ryan's life. I prayed and stood on God's promises right up till the time he passed from this life to the next. I remember that night going home from the hospital, I fought sleep, because I didn't want to wake up to the reality of his death. I guess that sounds silly, but the initial pain was so intense, I didn't want to wake up and realize my precious baby was no longer with us, and go through the initial shock again. I sat up in a chair all night, thinking and praying mainly "God, I don't understand. I am trying to trust You, but I don't understand, help me Lord."
Later standing by his little white coffin, I heard the Lord speak. He said, "Tell them, it's not about here, it's not about this earth, it's about where this child is now. Tell them, it's not about here, but it's about there".
This did not stop the pain I was going through, it did not keep me from missing Ryan and wanting him here with us, but it did help me to see things in a different perspective.
God isn't so interested in my being happy all the time here on this earth, as He is me being prepared for heaven and showing others the need to be prepared. It's through enduring the hard times and allowing His glory to shine through my life that others will see Him in me. Who will be in heaven one day because they saw Jesus in you and me? That's what it's all about, our lives pointing to heaven.
We will spend a very short time here on this earth compared to eternity with Him. So it's not about "here", it's about "there" where all of us who trust in Him will be one day. I heard someone once say that, "when we get heaven and earth in the right perspective, everything else in life will fall into place".
Ryan's life had a purpose, as do all of our lives, and that is to point to Jesus. I believe when I get to heaven, there will be many there enjoying eternity with Jesus as a result of Ryan's short life on this earth. There will be many there also because Ryan's life and death made such an impact on my life, because my faith is so much stronger now.
Help us Lord to understand that as beautiful as this earth is, You have so much more ahead for us. Help us also to realize that we are just camped out here in these earthly tents for a short time compared to eternity with You. One day there will be no more sadness, no more tears, only perfect happiness . Help us to keep our focus on our destination, Heaven, because it's about there, not about here.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:3-4
Jesus said,"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust God, trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am. " Jn. 14:2-3
