“But between them and the foot of the sky there was something so white on the green grass that even with their eagles’ eyes they could hardly look at it. They came on and saw that it was a Lamb.
“Come and have breakfast,” said the Lamb in its sweet milky voice.
“Then they noticed for the first time that there was a fire lit on the grass and fish roasting on it. They sat down and ate the fish, hungry now for the first time for many days. And it was the most delicious food they had ever tasted.
“Please, Lamb,” said Lucy, “is this the way to Aslan’s country?”
“Not for you,” said the Lamb. “For you the door into Aslan’s country is from your own world.”
“What!” said Edmund. “Is there a way into Aslan’s country from our world too?”
“There is a way into my country from all the worlds,” said the Lamb; but as he spoke, his snowy white flushed into tawny gold and his size changed and he was Aslan himself, towering above them and scattering light from his mane.
“Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “Will you tell us how to get into your country from our world?”
“I shall be telling you all the time,” said Aslan. “But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder. And now come; I will open the door in the sky and send you to your own land.”* – C. S. Lewis, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”
Sometimes I realize I’m longing for heaven. I’m not suicidal or depressed, but I believe that heaven is definitely “better by far,” compared to the current state of the earth. Yes, we have a calling to influence the world with Kingdom principles and make disciples of all the nations, so our work here is definitely not over. But in eternity there will be no more evil, wickedness, sorrow, death, suffering, or pain. The old things of this world will be gone and the new things of God’s perfect eternity will be reality. Today I am grateful that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and will come back some day to take us there with him. He is the Lamb of God, the One who makes a way for us to come into God’s presence – both now and forevermore. Thanks be to God!
Jesus,
Thank you for being our Way, our Truth, our Life, and for preparing a place for us that is better by far, with no more death, sorrow, tears, or pain. Thank you for creating a way in which we can be with you for eternity and know your peace and love. Help us be fruitful in our Kingdom work and purposes, but always remember that our future is secure only in you. Amen.
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” (Philippians 1:22-24 NIV)
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 KJV)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God;believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NIV)