*When we all get to heaven...47/366

A friend and I were talking about death and dying and heaven one day last week. I'm not even sure now how we got on that topic, but one thing is certain- we are both going. Not because we are good people, but because Jesus gave these dead women life.

One of the things we discussed was whether or not we will "know" our loved ones who've gone before us. I am as sure of this as I am of my own name: maybe we will, maybe we won't. I'm okay with that either way. So is she.

Why? Because our reason for wanting to go to heaven is not to be reunited with loved ones who've gone on ahead, as wonderful as that sounds. No, our greater heart hunger is to see Jesus face to face. To sit as His feet. To bask in His presence, with nothing to distract our attention or hinder our worship. 

When We All Get To Heaven

Eliza E Hewitt, published this in 1898

I think Eliza and I would have been great friends

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
   Sing His mercy and His grace;
   In the mansions bright and blessed
   He’ll prepare for us a place.
   • Refrain:
     When we all get to heaven,*
     What a day of rejoicing that will be!
     When we all see Jesus,
     We’ll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
   Clouds will overspread the sky;
   But when trav’ling days are over,
   Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
   Trusting, serving every day;
   Just one glimpse of Him in glory
   Will the toils of life repay.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
   Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
   Soon the pearly gates will open;
   We shall tread the streets of gold.

Refrain:

When we all get to heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We’ll sing and shout the victory!

* “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21