A sneak peek at Heaven?

Ray and Barb Williams

I believe I got a little glimpse of what heaven might be like. We had dear friends come back into town for a visit. First, let me set the stage so you'll know something about this couple... 

...he was our Minister of Music (this was before "worship leaders" existed.) He was on the church staff and he played a vital role within our church. He didn't just do choir and orchestra. He lead an active Sunday school class (before Life Groups), he visited sick people, all the "pastor things" you'd expect. His wife is one of the best pianists I've ever known and an incredible woman of God. They have been a team for over 50 years!

We were friends, neighbors, and ministry partners for many years. We both had three children, they had two boys and a girl, we had the opposite mix. When we started attending First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia in 1977, it was a much different time and looked quite different. Men wore suits and ties, women wore dresses, and we had a choir (a big choir) and orchestra. Many friendships were made during that time period that remain to this day. You know how some friends you may not have seen or talked to for a decade or more,  but when you reconnect it's like no time has passed? It's like time stood still and you just pick up where you left off and fill in the blank years, sometimes, decades!

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” Philippians 1:3 

Let's have a party! Marlene and Joyce decided we should have an open house for them and invite as many people as we could that were in choir or orchestra. They did an incredible job planning and reaching out to everyone they could remember and had contact info for. Many people came by after church to stop in and spend time with Ray and Barb Williams. Many of those people I haven't seen for at least 15 years, some even more. We were able to "FaceTime" with two couples that are in Florida and couldn't be here. Everyone was able to spend time with them one on one. They exchanged stories, got caught up on family and maybe had a sandwich. It was incredible! We were able to witness people thanking friends for their many years of ministry here. More than once Ray said it was so good to see this many people still serving the Lord and active. We are all older now. Most of us in our 60's, 70's, or more. We don't have a lot of time ahead of us, and that's fine. Friendships like this are what make for a great life! I'm sure it will also make for a great eternity too.

I'll close by going back to my original thought. Can you imagine what heaven will be like? Seeing the many friends and family that have impacted our lives during our brief walk on this earth. I was reminded of stories I hadn't thought about for years. Some friends just make life better. Some, walked with us through dark valleys that we all experience. Many made me smile and again appreciate how the Lord has so richly blessed us. We talked about faithful servants who have passed on. We shared some "war stories" that made us laugh out loud! One story was about the first attempt to introduce drums into the church. At that time, drums were not accepted as a legitimate worship instrument. Even though Psalm 150:5 says, "Praise him upon the loud cymbals: Praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.”  Eventually, a few years later Pastor Mark did an incredible message series on worship, and we introduced drums and guitars at that time. Even then it was ahead of its time and a little controversial, but became accepted an loved. This probably sounds ridiculous to many of you, but it really happened and it's our history. In reality a lot of history is like that, we almost can't believe that it happened that way. 

They say friendships made in battle last forever. We are soldiers in the Lord's Army. If we've done our jobs right, ours will too! I don't know about battle, but I do know the blessing of this reality in serving our Lord. We have a blessed life and are all better people because of these friendships. 

Jesus speaking in a parable said, “His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23