Thanks to a recent family wedding, we were able to see the trifecta! Yes, we hiked through Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the magnificent Glacier National Park along the Canadian border of Montana. Words cannot describe the magnificent wonders of these places.
The majesty of it all got us thinking about heaven and the new earth yet to come. I can’t help but to consider God’s might and splendor when we walk in these spectacular places.
Psalm 148:13 “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
We did see some unbelievable creatures including moose, grizzly bear, antelope, and bison. However, this creature was the most rewarding…Joy (our pooch) was overwhelmed with the Grand Tetons thanks to dad’s backpack. (we had to keep her close to avoid her becoming a snack for the real rulers of the wilderness)
On more serious note, we are celebrating Jadyn’s 4 year anniversary in heaven. While this trip was fun and exciting, we are reminded this is not our home. Heaven is our eternal home…
Heaven has become a personal and real place for us, like many whose loved ones have run ahead to heaven. We think about the life to come frequently, and live with the expectation of seeing her again. God has a few things to say about this in Scripture.
Revelation 21:4 ESV “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
John 14:2 ESV “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”
1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
2 Peter 3:13 ESV “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Revelation 21:21-25 “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.”
Each of us will walk through the same door into the after life just like Jadyn did 4 years ago today. Fortunately we know that she loved Jesus and is with Him today. This is not an exclusive club! We all have the opportunity to believe and trust Jesus with our lives here on earth, and for our life after our souls leave this body. The Bible puts it this way…16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
Beautiful!! You guys look great! 😃