Since we have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven ... (see Colossians 3:1-4)

I don't know if it's age or just increasing desire.  I may be getting tired of the faults in my human nature or I might just be wanting to see some of the people I love, who have gone before me, again ... I'm not sure.  All I know, is that the reality of heaven is much stronger today in me.  My hunger for it and to see Jesus, grows increasingly.  I am so excited for the day that all sin is gone!  My heart jumps when I imagine the first time I see God.  My breathe is taken away with the thought.  I don't know how I'll be able to utter a sound, but I know I will want to :)  I'll want to sing something new; something that does not have an ending but simply changes direction as my eyes and my heart envelope the greatness and beauty that I am beholding.

Does this hunger render me useless here on earth?  Absolutely NOT!  Actually, I find that my heart is stirred so deeply that I am moved out of my self sufficiency and awakened from my sleep.  I am compelled by what I hope for.  Compelled to taste as much of His presence here and to lead others to Him, to show them the water of life, the fountain of eternity, the healer of souls.

The reality of heaven gives me purpose for earth.
Jesus said to ask God for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  So be it, Lord!  Until we get to come to you.

(see also 1 Corinthians 15:43-46)

"But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.  Deuteronomy 34:10

I've just been in front of the TV watching two people having great conversation.  As I engage in their discussion, I become part of it as if I were there... but I am home, alone.  What a great advantage we have as we can connect & interact with people that we've never met before!  The backyard fences of our society have tumbled down in so many ways over the past few years with the development of so many social networking mediums.  But, is it enough?

God gave us something very similar, but even more powerful when He left His Spirit here to dwell inside of us.  We are told that His Spirit is like a deposit guaranteeing what we will actually know & have in Heaven one day! (check out 2 Corinthians 5:4-6)  I can't wait!  In fact I think about this a lot.  I really crave what Moses had... meeting God 'face to face'. 

I've heard His voice in an instinctive sort of way, I've felt His presence in a spiritual & penetrating way, and I've seen evidence of Him all around me; but I have never tangibly seen Him with my eyes, touched Him with my hands or heard His audible voice.  I long for that moment.  The more I get to know of Him now, the more my heart yearns to know Him fully.  This is a good thing, for my heart stays on the right path as I continue to seek Him and know Him.

So, be encouraged today.  Continue to seek, to reach, and to reason with Him.  He is your God & He loves you.  I believe He is longing for that 'face to face' moment as well.

For right now "we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  1 Corinthians 13:12