Colossians 1:5

Since we have retired, we have been asked several times if we plan to travel. We are not travelers, at least for any great distance. Pat and I enjoy taking the “blue highways.” It is amazing how many wonderful places to see and enjoy that are in our own backyard.

When I was in the Air Force my first temporary duty assignment was to Fairbanks, Alaska. I have found no words to describe the enchanted feeling of stepping off the plane and realizing where I was. For a young guy who had never ventured too far from his hometown it was something that I never imagined possible; but I was really there. Many of you travel often and far and might not get so excited about such a trip. That young man felt as though he had flown into a storybook.

Two of the greatest wonders of eternity are only reachable by faith: Calvary and Heaven. Every believer can rejoice that we have been to Calvary, and we have personally experienced the Love of God. Christians, we are on our way to Heaven. Some have asked me how I know it is real. I read it in The Book and that’s good enough for me.

I had no reason to believe that Fairbanks Alaska really existed. All I knew about it came from books, and what I had heard from other people. When I was told that I was going there, I didn’t doubt. How much more this is true about Heaven.

We have the Book of Books that shows us the way. Jesus tells us that we have a place prepared in the land beyond the river; and Christians fully expect to arrive with the inexpressible feelings that “WE ARE REALLY THERE!”

The song says it best: “But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven! Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s! Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial! Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!”