Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:13-17
It's God's beautiful design that in suffering our longing for heaven is increased. Before Ian's accident, I was secure in my life on earth. I was secure thinking that not only had I met the man who God designed for me to marry but that he loved me in return. I had never suffered through any significant trials. I was in love with my life on earth, and had no perception of heaven and no longing for heaven in my heart. Not that I have an exact understanding of heaven now, but these past few months have made me long to be with the Lord. And I don't think that's a bad thing. If it steals me of my joy here on earth and if I can't see any good in why I'm here, then yes, it's bad. But it is good to desire to forever be with the Lord, to long to sin no more, and to long for our new heavenly bodies.
I know that many of you who read this blog are going through huge trials in your lives. Keep looking to heaven and know that we are but dust. These trials will end and one day we will be with our Lord.
Thank you for praying for Ian. He has been opening his eyes more often over the past few days. He has been awake off and on today. Right now we're watching Clifford- one of his favorite movies. Hopefully it's bringing back some of his hilarious memories. Our new discharge date is April 30. I heard from one source today that there is no longer any infection in his right eye, but it still seems to be a little bit sensitive. God is answering our prayers!
Larissa
13 comments:
Thank you, Larissa, for writing that passage of Scripture. What an incredible reminder of who we are, and where we're headed and Who is waiting for us.
You're so right. I suffer so poorly here, that I can't wait for Heaven. We are not at home. We need, so badly, to know that, but we don't get it until the Lord permits us to suffer or to be close to those who are suffering. We don't belong here. We belong with Him, seeing His face and adoring Him forever. Thanks for reminding me. I need it.
kristi
"I know that many of you who read this blog are going through huge trials in your lives. Keep looking to heaven and know that we are but dust. These trials will end and one day we will be with our Lord."
Larissa,
That you would look outside yourself and encourage us with these words is no less than the grace of God demonstrated in you. Please know that the constant examples of you and Ian's family encourage many through our "slight and momentary afflictions".
Longing for Heaven and praying for Ian and all of you,
John Q
What good news, not only about Ian and his eyes being open more, and the infection there clearing; but, also about your longing for Christ in heaven...now, that is also miraculous. "Clifford" the big, red dog?
dearest larissa,
your words and insights are so precious and profound.i met jesus at age 37 ,now near 5o and becuase of many trials along the way i discovered early on..this is not our home. glad to hear He has opened your heart to see the beautiful place HE has prepared for you.
joyce from 'jipip'
Amen to what you said! Praise the Lord for your faith and the faith of Ian and his family. Keep the faith - God will answer all our prayers IN HIS OWN TIME.
Many are praying for Ian - he is on my church pray chain and has been since the accident.
Rene from Latrobe
Our church is studying Revelations and one of the many things I have been reminded of is that yes, we will have trials, but ONLY FOR A TIME. Ultimately, God has already won the battle when Jesus died and rose again. Through it ALL, God is sovereign!
Lisa
Haha, not Clifford the big red dog. clifford with martin short- much funnier
Today in my small group at college, there was a sharing question in our study asking us who has been an encouragement to us in his/her confidence in Christ. I didn't even have to hesitate before saying Larissa and the Murphys. Reading your blog has been such an encouragement to me; seeing how boldly and radically confident you are in God's promise is truly inspiring, as well as knowing that strength that is only the result of God's amazing love and grace. Thank you for having the courage to write both the ups and the downs.
-Amelia
Philippians 3 says:
3Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Ahhh...to have every tear wiped away...and by God Himself! He didn't delegate it to angels; He wants to do it HIMSELF!
Can't hardly imagine what that will be like!
I heard one speaker say that maybe all the bad memories will be wiped away then, too, cos who would have bad memories in heaven?
:-)
It was a pleasure to meet you the other week, Larissa. You are a godly woman!
Still praying for Ian's complete recovery!
Mary Ann K.
Larissa,
God never ceases to amaze me! What you have reaped in your relationship with your Savior during this time is so incredible. Seeing the great miracle of yours and Ian's salvation and promise of eternal life with Christ is an evidence of His grace beyond compare. May our Lord continue to bless you in this and many more ways as He continues to heal Ian and draw all of you closer to Him.
Love and prayers,
Chris Pusateri
I found this blog recently and I just wanted to say that I've added Ian to my prayer list. My prayers are also with you and Ian's family that God will give you the measure of strength that you need to make it through each day.
God bless,
Bernadine
haha!
Clifford.
That's one movie I kinda wish the Murphys hadn't told us about... my brothers have qouted it for years!! "On my birthday of all days!"- that's a classic. I hope Ian liked it more than I do! (too weird)
:D
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