now showing on heaven's big screen . . .

You know you read about this huge life changing events in someone's life... where it seems like time stands still or the planets shift... and life as you knew it would never be the same again.... imagine an event with more impact than that...one that literally shifts eternity...not just the here and now, not just life as we know it... but where eternity itself is impacted and changed.... now imagine missing out on that event. . . because that is what i did this week... i missed out on one of the biggest events that could ever happen.

True story. . . I missed it. I didnt miss it by choice. . .i just happened to be thousands of miles away from the event. . . but none the less...i missed it.

so what was this monumental occasion . . .my precious father got baptised! There are no words, and if I even try express my emotions would suffocate it out. . . so I am not going to try. I am so proud of him and the decisions he has made. . . and I am telling anyone who even glances in my direction all about him. . . but sadly I wasnt physically present for the occasion. . .my brother got the honor of not only being there, but also of helping baptise our dad and I can honestly say that makes me grin from ear to ear... I am so so so glad that my brother was part of it.

So here is a picture of the occasion...i am so grateful that technology allows for us to catch glimpses of special moments in our loved ones lives even though we might be separated by distance. Skyping with a dear friend today, yet another perk of technology, dropped an amazing insight tonight and I cant hold back but write about it. . .

She said that she knew I was probably a bit disappointed that I was not physically present for this occasion. And it would be a normal emotion to have amidst the great joy. But that one day, when we are in heaven, I would get to see it in a “replay” except far better. Instead of seeing an image or video like on a tv screen, I would get to see it in vivid colour, 3D and probably larger than life, watching the experience of my dad's baptism. to be able to enjoy all the sights and sounds of the occasion.... BUT wait there is more... I would not just get to see the moment but I would get to see the spiritual impact of it, the angels celebrating in joy etc etc... the whole package would be revealed to me. And that even though it feels like I missed out on it now, when in reality I will get to embrace the fullness of it. and that i would not only see all of this... it gets even better. i would get to see the whole picture, the journey leading up to the point of baptism and every little thing along the way that impacted my dad and drew him closer to God. . . WOW! i can barely comprehend how awesome that moment will be. 

It reminded me of that scripture in 1 Cor 13 where it says, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”

the day will come... when I will see and know the whole picture not just the glimpses I see today. at this rate eternity is going to be anything but boring. . . i can hardly wait. i am so glad that my friend shared her insight with me... and how it encouraged me... i am so glad at the goodness of the God we serve and that this life is not all we have... but that eternity awaits and its so much better than anything i could ever have asked, hoped for or imagined.

so for those of you struggling out there, with time and distance and missing loved ones....remember in this life they, and we, get the benefits of living a fasted life as we give up our countries and loved ones to serve God. [look at Isaiah 58 for a glimpse into some of the benefits of a fasted life] but we have so much more to look forward to in eternity...so keep on keeping on.... keep on pursuing Him and His Will and know that we will taste and see that our Lord is good....keep those eyes, and hearts fixed on the Hope of eternity.