From Here

I have this picture of Lily- an 11 year old girl who is the daughter of a family friend.  In the picture, Lily is standing at the finish line of a relay race; her arms raised in victory.  There are others in the distance.  Just by looking at this picture, there is something you would probably never know.  In this picture, little Lily was fighting cancer.  She passed away just months after it was taken.

I have kept this picture because it brings me peace.  It gives me perspective.  It reminds me of a song I hear often.  The song is called From Here by Big Daddy Weave.  The song is written from the perspective of somebody who has passed away and gone to Heaven.  The line that sticks out to me, and that I always think of when I see this picture of Lily, is this:

“From here, the race has been won

  Love’s already won

  I see clearly, the end and the start”

From the viewpoint of Heaven, the race has been won.  The struggle has ended.  God’s love and mercy have brought you to the finish line and given you victory over your sin and the pain that you once faced on Earth.  Another line of the song was written as though talking to someone who is still on Earth.  Although I don’t think, nor does the bible say, that people can talk to us or see us from Heaven, I do believe that if they could, they would say something very similar to this:

 “I know that your heart would know peace, if you could just see where I am.”

So often when I struggle with things of this world, I tend to think, “If I could just see a glimpse of Heaven, none of this would matter.  I would remember how temporary all of this struggle is and would be reminded of what really matters.”  When I hear this song and think about being in Heaven, I am reminded of the peace and stability that we have in Christ. 

Recently, God spoke something so beautiful to my heart.  As I was thinking of the picture of Lily at the finish line and wishing that I could have that glimpse of Heaven to put things into perspective, God said, “A glimpse of Heaven?  My little lamb, I have given you much more than a glimpse.  Not only did I send My Son down to Earth to show you much more than a glimpse of who I am, and then die to take the punishment for your sins to save you from hell and allow you to be re-born into My family if you so choose…but then, I put My own Spirit inside of you, to continue to teach you about Heaven and speak to you about Me.  I did this to help you to understand My Word when you read and hear it.  I have given you much more than a mere glimpse of Heaven, My child.  It’s not a glimpse that you see with your eyes, but rather, one that you see through the eyes of faith.  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.  It is the conviction of things not seen.  Hold on to faith with Me as your strength.  Hold on to the various glimpses of Heaven that My Word brings to you, and know peace, My love.”

So now, as I look at Lily standing at that finish line, I will remember to run this race with the finish line in mind- eternity in Heaven.  When I face trials, I will remember, as God has shown me several times lately, to run the race with Heaven as my viewpoint- and let God lead my paths to the Earthly things that He needs of me.  I will also take time aside each day to gain Heavenly perspective in His Word.

 “Let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” –Hebrews 12:1