I look forward to peace and unity! I desire a place where we are humble towards each other and can show love are care, freely; I desire a place to be seen and accepted for who I am in my brokenness and strengths; I desire a place where we can be honest, naked and unashamed; I look forward to worshiping Yahweh with a community of believers, in unity, wholly accepted, totally seen collectively!
"And I wondered if wanting things might not be a kind of engine. " I really like this.
I, too, have struggles with the whole scenario of wanting things....probably for the same reason you mention. However, I think the idea of wanting things being an engine sounds like moving towards the right track (sorry for the train word which just came out most likely because of the engine word....but it still fits).
I am acutely aware of strained and broken relationships in this life, of all the ways we misunderstand and slight one another, of all the warped ways we see God, others, and ourselves. I ache for relationships to be made right, to fully know and fully love one another, to be fully known and fully loved.
If today we only see a "reflection as in a mirror," then I'm especially looking forward to seeing clearly. If today the very best is just the first fruits, I'm looking forward to the full wedding banquet. Seeing the creativity of Yahweh displayed to a greater degree. The eternal and infinite goodness that continues.
I look forward to freedom from turmoil, sickness, cancer, etc. I look forward to seeing the beauty there. Finding out what the new body looks like. Singing praises to God. (What will that sound like? What do the angels sound like? One voice? Harmony? Nothing like I’ve imagined?) So much to look forward to!
This is so beautiful! I’m looking forward to a land of perfect love! where I can pour out my love more freely on my Lord and on others! It’s only love that never ends -faith and hope we won’t need anymore!!!
I land of love continually and no more striving to perform or be accepted!
I look forward to eternal happiness that is never compromised by grief, hurt, or betrayal. I look forward to eternal rest and relaxation, free from any stressful distractions. I look forward to existing peacefully without the cautions of dangerous people or situations. I look forward to seamlessly fitting in without fear of rejection. I look forward to Him…the fullness of Him. His presence with us on Earth is so good, so can you only imagine how much greater it will be in Heaven?!
You captured this idea so well in Happiest Saddest People, but I’m looking forward to all my yeses not also requiring nos. No more opportunity cost, no more spreading myself between all the people I so desperately want to love well yet ending up like Bilbo, butter scraped over too much bread. And conversely - the wide open tender vulnerability to be loved in that way, with no risk or fear of hurt or loss or broken trust.
I just finished reading Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River yesterday, and the picture he paints of heaven made me ache and nod and cry - truer than true, with every longing fulfilled, like one long deep breath. To anyone who hasn’t read it, I highly recommend. It’s the perfect winter read.
Thank you for sharing the J.B. Phillips version - I loved the phrase "their eyes are fixed upon their true homeland."
Years ago 2 Peter 3:10-14 made a big impact on me - and it talks about looking forward twice! Here is an excerpt:
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. NIV
not sure if links are actually allowed or if you'd have to copy and paste in a browser . . . . but it's "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" - talking about this world being a wilderness and longing for HOME.
(and things just make songs show up in my head all the time....)
I look forward to peace and unity! I desire a place where we are humble towards each other and can show love are care, freely; I desire a place to be seen and accepted for who I am in my brokenness and strengths; I desire a place where we can be honest, naked and unashamed; I look forward to worshiping Yahweh with a community of believers, in unity, wholly accepted, totally seen collectively!
I cannot wait to all be together. No more goodbyes, no more travel burdens, no more longing and no more missing.
"And I wondered if wanting things might not be a kind of engine. " I really like this.
I, too, have struggles with the whole scenario of wanting things....probably for the same reason you mention. However, I think the idea of wanting things being an engine sounds like moving towards the right track (sorry for the train word which just came out most likely because of the engine word....but it still fits).
I am acutely aware of strained and broken relationships in this life, of all the ways we misunderstand and slight one another, of all the warped ways we see God, others, and ourselves. I ache for relationships to be made right, to fully know and fully love one another, to be fully known and fully loved.
I look forward to all being made right. No more tears.
If today we only see a "reflection as in a mirror," then I'm especially looking forward to seeing clearly. If today the very best is just the first fruits, I'm looking forward to the full wedding banquet. Seeing the creativity of Yahweh displayed to a greater degree. The eternal and infinite goodness that continues.
"Further up and further in!"
I look forward to freedom from turmoil, sickness, cancer, etc. I look forward to seeing the beauty there. Finding out what the new body looks like. Singing praises to God. (What will that sound like? What do the angels sound like? One voice? Harmony? Nothing like I’ve imagined?) So much to look forward to!
As the song says - “There's a happy land of promise over in the great beyond
Where the saved of earth shall soon the glory share…
We'll meet the one who saved us and who kept us by His grace
And who brought us to that land so bright and fair
We will praise His name forever as we look upon His face
Everybody will be happy over there”
That’s what I am looking forward to.
I look forward to true peace. To effortlessly have my mind be still and focused on God. ❤️
This is so beautiful! I’m looking forward to a land of perfect love! where I can pour out my love more freely on my Lord and on others! It’s only love that never ends -faith and hope we won’t need anymore!!!
I land of love continually and no more striving to perform or be accepted!
May his kingdom of love come more here and now!
I look forward to eternal happiness that is never compromised by grief, hurt, or betrayal. I look forward to eternal rest and relaxation, free from any stressful distractions. I look forward to existing peacefully without the cautions of dangerous people or situations. I look forward to seamlessly fitting in without fear of rejection. I look forward to Him…the fullness of Him. His presence with us on Earth is so good, so can you only imagine how much greater it will be in Heaven?!
You captured this idea so well in Happiest Saddest People, but I’m looking forward to all my yeses not also requiring nos. No more opportunity cost, no more spreading myself between all the people I so desperately want to love well yet ending up like Bilbo, butter scraped over too much bread. And conversely - the wide open tender vulnerability to be loved in that way, with no risk or fear of hurt or loss or broken trust.
I just finished reading Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River yesterday, and the picture he paints of heaven made me ache and nod and cry - truer than true, with every longing fulfilled, like one long deep breath. To anyone who hasn’t read it, I highly recommend. It’s the perfect winter read.
Thank you for sharing the J.B. Phillips version - I loved the phrase "their eyes are fixed upon their true homeland."
Years ago 2 Peter 3:10-14 made a big impact on me - and it talks about looking forward twice! Here is an excerpt:
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. NIV
May God use our study to deepen my longing now.
as i've been reading the comments this song started running through my head...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ52O6t7SlE&list=RDFJ52O6t7SlE&start_radio=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSGdkLMCTEI&list=RDrSGdkLMCTEI&start_radio=1
not sure if links are actually allowed or if you'd have to copy and paste in a browser . . . . but it's "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" - talking about this world being a wilderness and longing for HOME.
(and things just make songs show up in my head all the time....)
I think of in Revelation… the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations. That’s one of my favorite lines.
And we will see His face.
I’m most looking forward to the purity of the place and people. Nature and creation living together without fear.