After all these days of Advent, we can finally shift our focus and look forward to some of the rewards of our preparation. Read on to see a portion of all God has prepared ahead for us!
When my husband Gene and I sold our home and moved to our retirement community, we did an immense amount of preparation. We painted walls of our house, replaced the carpet on the stairs, cleared out closets, and sorted through years of accumulated “stuff.” It was hard work and we felt exhausted.
But while we were busy at our end, the staff at the village was just as busy getting our apartment ready for our arrival. They too painted walls. Workers replaced a dark gray carpet with a lighter tone of beige. They hung curtains. The staff removed a pink, blue and gray kitchen vinyl that looked like an argyle sock and put down the simpler marble tile we had selected. An electrician moved a light switch. When we arrived, we reaped the pleasure resulting from all their work.
In John 14:2,3, Jesus explained to his bemused disciples that he was leaving, but with a purpose. He told them, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
God made an amazing world for Adam and Eve, but Jesus has prepared an even more amazing world for us after we leave this life. His promises are assured. He will come and get us. We will live with him forever!
Take a moment today and look around your living space. One day it will all be gone. Your collection of animated solar sun catchers, your massage recliner, your 4th – grade penmanship award hanging on the wall, even your Christmas stockings hung by the chimney with care. All of it will be gone. But none of it will matter if you have a place prepared for you in heaven!
A very nice thought.