My sister and I took our dogs to the beach this afternoon to walk the wave line and enjoy the 5:20 sunset. While the dogs romped in the dunes, we watched the sky turn colors from the comfy perch of two abandoned chairs nestled in the beach grasses.
“Do you think Nate can see this sunset from the other side?” Mary asked.
Her question precipitated a lively discussion about where Nate is now and what he’s experiencing. We wondered if he had any remaining interest in earthly things. As the sun moved closer to the watery horizon and the temperature began to drop, we zipped up our coats, scrunched down in our chairs and talked about galaxies.
“Heaven must be waaay out there,” Mary said.
“But there aren’t clocks in heaven, and it’s outside of time and space,” I said. “Maybe heaven isn’t beyond the very last of millions of galaxies. It could be anywhere.”
Then Mary added more questions. “What about the new heaven and the new earth? Where will those be? So is Nate in the old heaven? Or is he in the place Jesus referred to as ‘paradise’ when he was on the cross? Maybe the first heaven isn’t even being used yet.”
As we talked, we ended up with more questions than answers, concluding that we’ll only have the answers when our time comes to join Nate.
People talk about being reunited with loved ones who’ve gone ahead of them to heaven. Is Nate having coffee with his folks and others who have gone before? More than likely heaven is nothing like we’re thinking. After all, Scripture says humans can’t even imagine the wonders God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Why would Nate participate in an earth-style coffee break when he could be enjoying an unimaginable wonder? For that matter, if he can walk and talk with Jesus and see the throne of God, why would he waste time gazing at an earthly sunset?
As the dogs darted in and out of the waves for mouthfuls of water, Mary and I talked about our own journeys to heaven. “I’m not ready yet,” I said, “because once we die, we have no more chances to pass any of God’s earthly tests. There’ll be no more opportunities to win out over temptation or tell someone else what God’s done for us or pray for people. It’ll just be ‘time’s up’.”
“I know,” she added. “And I feel like it’s taken most of our lives to finally catch on to all that.”
Twilight settled over the wide expanse of empty beach, and we talked about not knowing how long it would be before time would end for both of us. Nate’s death certificate says he lived 64 years, 2 months and 16 days. What will ours say? It was one more question without an answer.
Then Mary said, “I think Nate has the answers to the questions we’re still asking. The minute he got to wherever he is, he knew it all.” What a stunning realization. With that, we whistled for our dogs and headed home.
I think often of Nate and his life in paradise, wondering about the details by asking more questions. Although we spent the better part of our lives in a partnership, that relationship has now been split. “Til death do us part” was what we promised each other when we married, and death has done its evil work by parting us. We now live in separate worlds.
But one day God will banish death completely, and all those who love him will be together for all eternity. Nate and I will be in that crowd. And when that day comes, all our questions will have answers.
“Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy 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.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
It’s so hard for me to imagine what those without Christ reflect on when they see a beautiful sunset. It’s an amazing blessing that we have been chosen to share in His riches after we do leave this earth.
I think Mary has right that Nate now the answers for the question you asked today. My grandpa died alot of years before my grandma and then one day my uncle dreamed that my grandpa and the cat (that also was dead since a few weeks ago) came down to my grandma’s house. And the next morning my grandma was no stil longer with us, my grandpa and the cat brought her home to heaven. So I belive that God told my grandpa to go and visit her and bring her to heaven!!
I often reflect on my promise to Bob in our marriage, as you promised to Nate–to love each other ’till death do us part.’ I now say–I lied. I love him still! Death did not end that. I love him only on the days I’m breathing. There is sweet comfort in that. I’m thankful you have your precious sister nearby.
This Thanksgiving day, it will be 21 years since my dear Jackie died. After 31 wonderful years together, she was taken suddenly without my even getting the chance to say goodbye. I still miss her! In all this, God is good and know that he will bring you the comfort and strength needed at this time. Thanks for sharing your heart.
As you and Mary talked about the “millions of galaxies,” it reminded me of last night when Einar and I saw beautiful images of galaxies way beyond ours (from the Hubble, Spritzer, and Chandra telescopes/satellites). I was in awe of God’s amazing creative abilities!!!
Marni, a few years ago you and I had a similiar conversation. (In a different context of course)
You reminded me that one of the blessings of heaven is that your work in heaven will be without the hardship of this world, without the dissappointment of failure and all of your work will be glorifying to God; and therefore ultimately satisfying.
I wonder what work Nate is up to now. Obviously, there is no need for lawyers or real estate brokers. …Another question to remain unanswered for the time being I suppose.
You are so right Margaret. Earth is the only time and place we can seek to glorify the One who loved us and gave Himself for us while struggling against the world the flesh and the devil. And I’m with you. I want to glorify Him here where it’s hard as long as He will allow
Maranatha!
Thanks, again….for provoking serious thought. At least we know John Lennon had it all wrong…it isn’t “Life” that happens when we’re busy making other plans….it’s death. And it’s rude. An intruder that doesn’t knock…just breaks down the door. We all have pretty good imaginations….so where does that leave us when told by the One who knows these things, that none of us can even imagine what heaven holds? Is He trying to tell us that heaven is not just all the best things of earth, only gussied up? We can imagine our questions…they are rooted in our finite lives, and sorrow and curiousity about the eerie barrier we can only cross one way. So it is doubly intriguing that the one story Jesus tells about the “other side” is from a man in hell! And he has all kinds of questions! “Can someone come help me? Can someone go and warn my brothers? Can I keep asking till you say ‘yes’?”
Abraham’s answer to each one is a thudding “NO.” The man had rejected God, disqualifying him for getting answers. Maybe God, loving us fiercely and protectively, draws these “heaven” questions out of us because the question itself is how we process the unimaginable. That even the longing for answers is a longing for Him. And He sends our loved ones on ahead to keep us asking, and expectant.