Meeting Jesus

As we get older, we realize that our time on earth grows shorter. We have more memories behind us then we will make ahead of us, and time seems to move at a break-neck speed. Facing our own mortality can be a difficult thing to do, but it can also be filled with anticipation and wonder.

After a recent doctor’s appointment, I wondered what the results of the blood work might be. Would it be something life-threatening, or some small thing with a simple fix. Pondering the possibility of a life-threatening diagnosis, for some strange reason, brought me no sense of the usual fear or dread. All I could think of was, “I’ll get to meet Jesus.”

Call me crazy if you want to, but as the days went by and I continued to think about when my life will end, the singular thought that was etched in my heart and on my mind, was, “I will get to meet Jesus.” In the end, my blood work was fine and I lived to see another day without facing my mortality head-on. That day will eventually come and I have no idea what my actual response will be. But I give it much more thought these days than I did 20 years ago.

I often wonder what it will be like to step over that threshold and look into Jesus’ eyes of love - the one who gave his life for me so that I could live here with joy and freedom. It’s an overwhelming thought to me that someday I will get to look into those eyes of absolutely perfect sacrificial love. There is a song I love to sing that says I shall know him by the print of the nails in his hands. I love the sentiment because it says so much about his love, but I don’t think I’ll need to see any scars. I think the moment I see Jesus, I will have no doubt whatsoever that it is him. The “me” that I think I am, will be completely absorbed by his presence. The joy of that moment will erase any pain and suffering of whatever disease or demise might take my earthly life.

This morning, I thought, 20 years from now, unless my health is great and God decides otherwise, I will be one of the ones who has met Jesus! I might live to be 88. I might live to 78. One of these days, before I live even a third of the time I’ve already lived, I will get to meet Jesus! It’s an amazing thought to me. It allows me to enjoy my life here so much more when I’m anticipating the day that I, too, will get to meet Jesus!

What a day that will be. What a day, indeed!