Sunday Afternoon Tea

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the summons to go out to a place which he would eventually possess...

For Abraham’s eyes were looking forward to that city 
with solid foundations 
of which God himself is both
architect and builder.

Hebrews 11:10 Phillips translation

I was recently curled up on my living room sofa reading when... for some reason... I found myself admiring the pretty wreath which was a "picked out by me" Christmas gift from my husband.

The room looked lovely as the light of the setting sun was reflected through the window.  For a moment, I was overwhelmed by it all and the phrase The Beautiful Ache came to my mind.  It must have been planted there at some time long ago in my reading.

I've had those same feelings before... a few years ago, we were on our way home from New England in October.  As we traveled through the forests of  Pennsylvania and Western Ohio, the sun was shining in such a way the color of the leaves seemed to glow. 

I felt that Beautiful Ache as I thought my finite body could not handle such amazing Beauty.  I was breathless and certain I would perish from an overflow of praise to God for His creation!  How could one say there was no Creator when viewing such Beauty?

In both instances, I longed for the Day when all will be made new just as the Word says "even the rocks and the trees call out" and "all nature groans" as we await Perfection. 

The older I get, the more my mind ponders all things Heavenly and Eternal and Beautiful and Perfect.  I sense more than ever that Due North destination and it encourages me on the journey of life, which can be difficult at times.

When I was a fairly new Christian, I remember a famous preacher putting down those who sang the songs of Heaven.  He taught that we should have enough faith so this life is good instead of longing for that which is to come.  Somehow, even as one who had not walked with the Lord very long, I sensed this could not be correct.

The famous "Faith Chapter" of Hebrews 11 tells us some in the Faith Hall of Fame (as the chapter is often called) received their promises here and others went to Eternity before receiving their promise.  Just as Abraham searched for that city "whose architect and builder is God".

Somehow we know in our heart that we live in the Shadowlands.  We sense there is more, we long for more, we are a dissatisfied people who cannot become full or get enough of anything outside of Him.  We are aware of our fragility and our finiteness.

We have sensed this is just the down payment... a little glimpse of that for which our soul longs.  I understand those songs of the church about Heaven, so often sung in little churches throughout the world by those in the midst of despair.

Perhaps it is only in a country of abundance that a preacher could call singing the songs of Heaven a lack of faith.  For only when one is warm and dry and comfortable and well fed does one cozy up to this world and never want to leave it... that is if one knows the Savior of the world.

One of my favorite C.  S. Lewis quotes comes from his book Mere Christianity... "If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world".

I would say when our finite bodies and minds are overwhelmed at the best this world has to offer... yes, indeed... we were created for another world and we gladly sang the songs of Heaven where that which is The Beautiful Ache becomes as normal as walking on streets of gold.

Artwork:  He Shall Hear My Voice... this exact picture hangs in my dining room.  :)