My Heavenly Reservation is Already Set

Well, now, friend, come on off this front porch and wander with me down this little path right over there where the wildflowers are noddin’ like they’re greetin’ old friends and the crickets are chirpin’ like they are tunin’ up for choir practice. Let’s stand for a spell right here where the sunlight dances on the grass like it’s tryin’ to remind us of somethin’ eternal. Sometimes you need a quiet place outdoors to remember that heaven ain’t just a hope, it’s a holy reservation made by the Almighty Himself. First Peter 1:3-5 tells us, “God, in His great mercy, has caused us to be born again to a livin’ hope and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” Now, friend, that right there’s better than any confirmation number a hotel clerk could ever be handin’ you.

I’ve stayed in plenty o’ places where the first thing they ask is, “Do you have a reservation?” An’ I always breathe easier when they find my name sittin’ real purty right in their computer. But nothin’ on this earth compares to the home God has prepared for His children. That there heavenly home never gets dusty, never breaks down, never needs repaintin’, and never has a critter problem, not even one of them sneaky lil’ ol’ raccoons that can open a cooler an’ git right on into your food like it’s their day job. God didn’t just reserve a room for you. He went an’ prepared a place with your name already written on it ‘cause you done belong to Him.

An’, goodness gracious sakes alive, friend, the Father ain’t  done blessin’ you. Ephesians 2:4-7 says, “He will keep on lavishing His love on us in the ages to come.” Second Peter 1:10-11 says, “He will give us an abundant entrance into His kingdom. And on that day, He will hand out crowns of righteousness and crowns of life like a joyful Father celebratin’ His children comin’ home. In that place, there will be no sickness, no sorrow, no partin’, no darkness.” I do declare, we gonna’ be together all in one place with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and all the saints. We gonna’ be gathered like one big ol’ family reunion that ain’t never gonna’ be endin’.

Father, thank You for reservin’ a place for me to live with You forever and ever. Help me live in a way that honors that heavenly callin’. Keep my heart steady, my hope strong, and my eyes fixed on the home You prepared. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Well, now, friend, when you git to meanderin’ back across this yard, you sho’-nuff gonna be shooin’ a grasshopper or two out of your path while you done carryin’ this here real truth with you that all them there earthly rooms are gonna’ come and go, but your heavenly reservation is done plumb sealed by God Himself. Your future is safer than a lil’ ol’ calf tucked up beside its mama on a cool night. An’ when you git to thinkin’ ‘bout that eternal home that’s waitin’ for you, even the hoot owls up in the trees might git to blinkin’ a whole lot more like they be knowin’ you’re headed somewhere sho’-nuff mighty special.

With joy,

Gwen