Looking The Same Way

Looking The Same Way

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

One of the greatest joys that Karen and I experienced on the book tour for Appointments with Heaven was the outpouring of love and acceptance from so many different denominations. We were invited to share our stories with messianic Jews, evangelicals, charismatics, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists. If there were theological walls between us, they seemed to crumble when the doors opened and they invited us in.

I distinctly remember the first interview I did. It was a panel discussion on a TV show with two other men, and we were being interviewed about our experiences with heaven. On my left sat a messianic Jewish rabbi; on my right was an African American man who’d had had a near-death experience, during which he’d glimpsed heaven and lived to tell about what he saw. I was a simple country doctor who held the hands of the dying and got a taste of eternity when I walked them to the foyer of heaven.

I enjoyed the interview immensely, and when we finished, I couldn’t wait to hear Karen’s thoughts. She had been in the green room, watching the show on the monitors. When I found her, she said, “Considering the fact that you all have such different backgrounds, I didn’t see any theological differences between the three of you. You all seemed more alike than different.”

I hoped that the viewers saw what Karen had seen—that we were alike in our love of God. Moreover, that we all had a God-given purpose to tell our stories of what we’d seen.

I think the reason that Karen didn’t see any differences is because, when our focus is on the throne of God and not on ourselves, we begin to look more and more like our heavenly Father. Though the other two men and I went our separate ways after the program, I’m certain I will see them in heaven. But I don’t know for sure that we’ll recognize each other. By the time we’re all in heaven, I think we’ll be much more alike than we will be different.

TODAY’S RX

In God’s eyes, we are all created equal, with equal possibilities of being conformed to look like him.

Continue to mold my heart so that it matches yours, Father. I desire to be a reflection of your character and love.