Enlarged in the Waiting

Every child of God longs for heaven. That is a part of who we are, it is a part of our genetic makeup. We simply can't help it, when we put all things aside, there is something within us all that desires, that longs to be in his presence. I cannot wait to see Jesus, to bask in His presence, to sing in His choir, to worship, with every tribe and tongue, the mighty King of glory. Foolish for me to even try to verbalize such a picture, but can you imagine? Waiting, however, has taken on a whole new meaning for me......
Paul says in Romans 8:18-25, that, "there's no comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the wating. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy"(The Message).
So, as I watch my beautiful bride grow, my own longing and "growing" for Heaven has a deeper significance. In this life I admit, that I often forget I am made for eternity, sounds silly I know. It's like my wife forgetting she is pregnant, it won't happen, her body won't let her....hence the birth pangs. I know now why the Lord allows us birth pangs. He's just reminding us there will be a deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish me, any more than waiting diminishes my bride. She is enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging her. But the longer we wait, the larger she becomes, and the more joyful our expectancy! Do you long for Heaven?