There's just something about airports. Something about them that creates butterflies in your stomach, immense anticipation, tears of joy, and sometimes tears of sadness. But I think it's being "on the other side" that makes airports one of the happiest places to be. It's a place of reunion. A place of complete joy, waiting patiently (or maybe impatiently) for a loved one to come walking around the corner... Colorful signs with the names of those arriving, little ones clenching their fists, squirming and ready to burst with excitement. And then the run! The beloved has been spotted and the long awaited moment has finally arrived.
Airports remind me of how heaven will be... the arrival of those coming Home to Glory. When we finally meet our Maker face to face and those who have long awaited sweet reunion. ...When Christ comes back for us, to take us Home. Oh what a day that will be!
As many of you know, I spent my second summer with Worldview Academy this year, and each experience only seems to be sweeter than the last! Now I know it's October, and camp ended nearly 3 months ago. Nonetheless, it's all coming in bits and pieces... =)
It was week 5 and we were headed to Grove City, PA for Camp #4. God's grace was truly sufficient during weeks prior. There were many battles and He was indeed faithful! But nothing could have prepared me for the week to come. From the moment I shook four of my girls hands in the hallway, my heart overflowed with joy. "These are my girls..." I gasped inside. By Friday, I was humbled to pieces after contemplating the precious memories made with these 9 faces of grace. But the hurt came that day as we packed up and left. There were many tears as I hugged each one goodbye.
It's difficult, looking back and telling how God changed my life through that week of camp. That next van ride was filled with devastation, hurt, pain, and feeling frustrated with God. "How could you allow such a deep love for these girls to grow in my heart, knowing that I would have to say goodbye in just 6 days?" I didn't understand. Never had I experienced such a refreshing, inspiring, and overwhelming week of sharing life with these students.
But the remaining weeks of camp would reveal that answer. For me, camp is "Narnia" -- a place where I glimpse a taste of heaven. I long for this place. And this summer was definitely the same, but I dealt with much more pain and loss. A piece of my heart had been taken by these girls and now suddenly was no longer mine.
In C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce, heaven is described with grass too sharp for human feet ("as hard as diamonds"), apples too heavy to pick up, and waterfalls that pierce the human ears. How could such a perfect place, a place of perfect unity, be so painful? The answer is that we (as humans) are not ready for such a place. Scripture says that we will receive new bodies for our new Home in heaven. If camp is a glimpse of heaven, we glimpse a taste of that perfect love... a place of unity, united with our brothers and sisters in Christ, worshiping at the Throne of our Maker.
But it's only a glimpse. At some point, we have to come back through the wardrobe. And it is a very painful process to come back to reality. This life will never compare to our abundant life in heaven. Dorothy had it right when she said, "There's no place like home!" When those glimpses suddenly end, we feel hurt and disappointment. But their purpose is to encourage us, to excite us and create that same anticipation found in airports --- anticipation that makes us long for home!
During those precious moments of glimpsing eternity, Christ desires for us to run to Him, praising Him for such a gift! "Weeping may stay for the night, but joy will come in the morning." My girls showed me heaven... as we ran in thunderstorms, threw pillows in the dark, laughed 'til we couldn't breathe, discussed theology in "secluded" gardens, and sat on the sidewalk crying and wishing camp didn't have to end. But our response to this hurt can be a glorious thing! We must fix our gaze on Him who makes all things new, resting in His perfect grace.
SDG
