Heaven

I am a big fan of the ocean. I love to get up early and watch the sunrise over the Atlantic. One morning in particular the view was spectacular. The moon was just behind me still high in the sky, the sun was barely peeking over the horizon just above the breaking waves on the sand, and at my feet tiny diggers where creating mosaics on the sand hurriedly hiding after the waves left them. These three were almost more than I could take in during the short time. This scene would only last about fifteen minutes the time it takes for the sun to become bright in the sky after it peeks over the horizon. The diggers which I have never seen in such abundance I may never see again, the sun blindingly reflecting in streaks off the waves will never be quite like that again. The full moon above my head would not be in that spot quite that way. Nothing about this moment was guaranteed to come my way again. I strained to take in all of it. Cautioning my eyes not to look at any one of these for too long, though I did not want to look away from any of it. From the diggers to the sun in the sky, to the reflection on the waves, then quick back around to the moon still in the sky, do it all again and again, don't want to miss it for a moment. Any one of these could have captivated my attention for the entire time. I knew that any moment I could look back and the moon have faded from sight, look down and the diggers have stopped their mosaics, look up and see the sun fully freed from the cloudy horizon, or its reflection became a dot on the ocean. At any moment any of these can fade into forever and in a moment it will all be gone. But for now, for now, my mind is filled with emotions, my eyes with beauty, my heart with gratitude, all because the creator has given me this moment. I realized as I worked to focus my attention on all of these wonders that this is the fallen world. In this moment I could not imagine anything more lovely, or wonderful. But I know that Eden was more wonderful and more than that I know that Heaven is more wonderful. No matter how lovely the vista, how amazing the wave, or spectacular the crest, this world is not the best the artist has created. The Word of God says that this world groans for redemption, when Adam failed he took the earth with him. My mind turned to Heaven. I thought of those that have left this earth in all its glory, now not with a sad longing, but with a confidence that they truly are in a better place. So when we think of our Lives outside our mortal bodies or the lives of those who have gone before us, it might serve us well to remember this. The artist who created this world with such wonder and beauty that it remains too lovely even in its fallen state, has created another masterpiece that awaits us. I used to think when I saw a beautiful mountain peak, "How I wished this one could be here to see this." Now I know that what he is seeing is ten times better. I look at the peak and wonder what that same peak looks like in heaven, better by far! Even still I wish he were with me, but I will someday be with him.