All It Takes Is A Glimpse

All It Takes Is A Glimpse

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

When I was on vacation in Venice, Italy, I sat in the Piazza San Marco and watched the tourists entering and leaving St. Mark’s Basilica. The cathedral has opulent gold mosaics throughout, which have earned it the nickname Chiesa d’Oro, or Church of Gold.

The tourists I saw all had such joy on their faces! I’m sure they were delighted to catch a glimpse of the basilica’s splendor. As I watched, it made me think, This is how we should live our entire lives—full of joy, wonder, and worship.

My mind wandered to thoughts of Jesus’ disciples—how they had lived their lives and how most were martyred for their faith. Did they live lives full of joy?

Eleven of the twelve apostles died by some form of execution. They must have struggled and suffered much more hardship than we, who live in a world of comfort and convenience, could ever imagine.

Yet throughout their days on earth and even at the untimely moment of their deaths, their hearts were filled with joy. I have to believe that, no matter what happened to them, no matter how bad their days were, their eyes were fixed on their forever home in heaven.

When I find I’m having a difficult day, I try to think about eternity in paradise worshipping the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As I reflect on the delight I observed on the faces of the tourists who visited the ornate cathedral at St. Mark’s, I imagine the freedom and joy we would have in our lives if we focused on our future in eternity.

I pray that God will give you a heavenly glimpse of our Promised Land to help sustain you on your bad days. With each passing day, we know it won’t be long before we join him there.

TODAY’S RX

Resolve to live today in joy, knowing that you are one day closer to the joy of your forever home.

Lord, I give this day to you, promising to approach it with a joyful spirit and glad heart.