"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
Psalm 16:11 NIV
First line:
Let’s be honest here: How many of you have known the path of life BEFORE you took that proverbial first step?
“Not me,” says the little hen.
“Not me either,” says yours truly.
Sure, looking back, it is crystal clear but setting out? Not so much and oftentimes it looks like muddy waters or it feels like standing at a steep cliff where the next step can’t be anything other than certain death. (Just the thought of that gives me sweaty palms, but I digress.)
Second line:
Yup, I’ve experienced that. It’s that feeling that is so hard to describe but for me, it’s inner peace (and you don’t even know why because, looking around, there ain’t much peace and that’s a fact) and then music, lots and lots of music. Sometimes I can pinpoint the tune, but not always.
Third line:
Not that long ago, I had a conversation with my friend Pat and I told her that I’m not afraid of dying and that it is something I’m looking forward to.
“Why?” she asked incredulously.
“Why not?” was my response. There are so many people I am itching to meet. My MANY ancestors, Golda Meir (!), and others I’ve learned about long after their passing. That statement made the phone line go quiet and finally she said, “I’d rather not talk about it.”
Pat died within a month of that conversation and I miss her and trust that SHE is now experiencing eternal pleasures at God’s right hand. Come to think of it, though, is God’s kingdom here and now or do we really have to wait until we exit this earthly body before we enter into it? “Eternal” pleasure, it doesn’t have to start after death now, does it? It CONTINUES into death and is with us forever and ever, Amen!
Security (You make known to me the path of life),
Joy (you will fill me with joy in your presence) and
total fulfillment (with eternal pleasures at your right hand),
THAT, my friends, is what God has promised us and THAT is something we better never, ever forget. Thanks be to God!