MOM 9 "In The Blink of An Eye" by Mercy Me

We have had so many people we know lose parents in this last year, including of course, us, because we lost Ken's father in September. That, coupled with the 2nd anniversary of Zack's death, has made me think a lot more about heaven. Actually, I began to think seriously about it, trying to really imagine it, since we knew Zack was terminal. I tried to get all the info I could about it and he and I would read the stuff and discuss it. One of my frustrations was that although there are many stories and studies, not that many are from a Christian perspective.

Still, we found a few things and talked about them. It seems most people have a moment when they are suddenly free from their body and often are looking back at it from above. Sometimes they have a sensation of going toward a light, they may be accompanied by angels, and then they are greeted by loved ones who have passed on before. The feeling of absolute love and health that they experience is such that, when they learn they have to go back to their bodies, and to life, they don't want to go, even though they may be very dedicated to their family and really love their life.

One book that I wish I could have read to Zack didn't come out until after he had left us. It is an extraordinary book, "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper http://www.donpiperministries.com/. It is the true story of a minister from Texas who died in a head-on car crash, went to heaven, and then was brought back to Earth. Before I was a Christian, I sometimes thought that I'd rather go to hell and hang out with fun people than to float around on a cloud playing a harp all day. It looked really boring and humorless. I now know that hell is absolutely not where I want to end up. Hell is hell because you are separated from God and from all others, too. Likewise, my views about the nature of heaven changed quite a bit. I understood that you would know loved ones, that you would have no pain or sadness and that you would be in the presence of God. I still was a bit stuck on the idea of spending all the time praising God. I mean, He's good and all but who does he think He is . . . oh, yeah, He is God, but still. . . it could get old, or so I thought.

Two things have influenced me otherwise. The first is a sermon, preached by our dear friend and minister from back home, Rev. Stew Grant. (To see more about Stew, click on this link http://www.twumc.org/ and then go to "About Us" and then select "Meet our Staff.") I always love to hear Stew speak because he has a gift of putting things spiritual in a way accessible to everyone. This sermon is the one he gave the day after he had been with us as Zack left this Earth for heaven. Each week at TWUMC, the ministers usually give the same sermon at each service, but each one is slightly different based on the preacher's style, etc. It was the end of the year in 2003, Sun., Dec. 28th, so the subject was "Beginning with the End." Stew shared a most powerful message about the issues of heaven and hell and salvation and used the opportunity to talk openly and frankly about them. Frankness is something that our church is still working on - getting better over the past 11 years, for sure, but still a style that not everyone appreciates. He showed a clip of a pastor in Nigeria who died and was in heaven and then came back and told his story. The pastor was shown both heaven and hell and was told to come back and tell people about what he saw, so that people might know the truth and be spared from hell. It was an urgent plea against complacency. I will always be so thankful to Stew for including Zack in the sermon and for sharing this most important message. I am trying to figure out how to put the sermon on the blog so you can listen to it, too. Believe me, it's worth the time. I understood, for the first time, the absolute joy that is in the celebration and worship in heaven. It is not a boring place. It gave me a better idea of where Zack was and I could so picture him singing and dancing with joy and in perfect health.

The second influence was Don Piper's recollections of his time in heaven. After reading his account, I had an even more clear idea of being in heaven. As soon as he arrived, he was greeted by his grandfather, friends and other relatives who had died in his lifetime. The way he described it reminded me of being at a big party with new people showing up all the time. As each person arrives, there is cheering and hellos and hugs, and before one celebration ends another begins. The light is brighter than human eyes could stand, the colors more intense and the music indescribably beautiful. A huge, joyous party surrounded by people laughing, singing and greeting others - I can see Zack there - it would be just his element. And not boring at all.

I love this song because it not only clearly describes the suddenness with which we leave here and arrive in heaven, but also is an encouragement for me to keep my focus on where it should be.

In The Blink Of An Eye
by Mercy Me

You put me here for a reason
You have a mission for me
You knew my name and
You called it
Long before I learned to breathe

Sometimes I feel disappointed
By the way I spend my time
How can I further Your kingdom
When I'm so wrapped up in mine?

In a Blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive
for a blink of an eye

And though I'm living a good life
Can my life be something great?
I have to answer the question
Before it's too late

Cause in a Blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive
for a blink of an eye

If I give the very best of me
That becomes my legacy
So tell me what am I waiting for?
What am I waiting for?

In a Blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given

In a Blink of an eye that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive
for a blink of an eye

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