GOD TALK-Lose My Luggage! Please

I recently finished reading a book by Betty Maltz called “My Glimpse of Eternity” published by Chosen Books in 1977. It is Betty’s story of how in 1959 her appendix burst, and because an error in prognosis, she went untreated for eleven days. She died after gangrene permeated through all of her organs. Life support systems were removed, the sheet was pulled over her head. After her look into eternity she came back to life again in a dark empty hospital room.
As a Christian, she tells of the beauty she was allowed to see. Since reading her book, I have been thinking a great deal about heaven. About what awaits the person who has put his or her trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin. Nobody need miss this joy!
The few times I have sat in airports in Sacramento, Topeka, LA, Cleveland, San Francisco and Las Vegas, I have observed the arrival of hundreds weary passengers as they have made their way off the planes to be greeted by those waiting to welcome them. These experiences have caused me to think of heaven.

In expectation of a flight to the Atlantic Coast soon, the idea of travel has been on my mind lately. I have yet to experience the loss of my luggage on a flight. In life, we acquire “baggage”. It might be the baggage of wounds from hurts, misunderstanding, uses, and abuses. Or the baggage might be the scars of broken relationships, unmet goals and expectations. The baggage might be a disability or long term illness. In death, all of this “luggage” will drop off. It will not be carried beyond death. This is good news, especially for those who have suffered greatly. I have a bit of “luggage”I am ready to lose.

In our world of day to day work, debts, ipods, email, appointments, successes and failures, cell phones and deadlines, we have a tendency to ignore the reality of eternity. There is an existence after we draw our last breath -a destiny beyond this life. The Bible speaks of two destinations of souls after death- a place of everlasting joy, and also a place of everlasting torment.
Gospel singer, Dottie Rambo once wrote a song which says“We shall behold Him (Jesus) face to face in all of His glory.” This is the expectation of those who have repented and trusted Jesus Christ to forgive their sin. These will then “see Him just as He is”.
What will make heaven a joyful experience is that Jesus is there. It will be the continuation of a relationship with Him that has its beginning here on earth.
There are scoffers and cynics, but Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
In the words of Billy Graham, these are not my own words, this is what Jesus said about Himself.
If you are curious with questions about the eternity, but want to remain anonymous, I recommend dialing 1-888-NEED-HIM. Pray. You have an excellent opportunity to find answers. In time, contact and attend a congregation listed each Saturday in the newspaper. Don’t expect anyone there to be perfect ! Seek out a Bible teacher who welcomes discussion, encourages your questions, and invites you to do your own careful study of the material presented.