Are you really getting mentally prepared for Harpazo*

Today's Our Daily Bread portion might just encourage you along those lines:

HARD TO IMAGINE
( READ: Philippians 1:19-26)

I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ( PHILIPPIANS 1:23)

Whenever my wife, Martie , and I get ready to go on vacation, we like to read about our destination, study the maps, and anticipate the joy of finally arriving at the place we've dreamed about for so long.

For those of us who know Jesus Christ, we have an incredible destination ahead of us-----heaven. But I find it interesting that a lot of us don't seem to be very excited about getting there. Why is that? Maybe it's because we don't understand heaven. We talk about streets of gold and gates of pearl, but what is it really like? What is there to look forward to?

I think the most profound description of heaven is found in Paul's words to the Philippians. He said that to " depart and be with Christ" is " far better" ( 1:23). It's what I told my eight -year-old grandson when he asked what heaven is like. I started by asking him, "What is the most exciting thing in your life?" He told me about his computer game and other fun things he likes to do, and then I told him that heaven is far better. He thought for a minute, and then said, " Papa, that's hard to imagine."

What is it that you look forward to in life? What really excites you? Whatever it is, although it's hard to imagine, heaven will be far better!

To be in His presence! A glorious thought

So awesome I cannot conceive;

I'll bow down and worship the Lord on His throne

And add to the praise He'll receive.

The more you look forward to heaven, the less you'll desire on earth.

I'll just add, "Maranatha - come quickly Lord Jesus!}

* Harpazo Web definitions

726. harpazo, har-pad'-zo; from a der. of G138; to seize (in arious applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force)..