Eternity With Jesus

And this is what He promised us—eternal life. . . . And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. —1 John 2:25–28, NIV

Do you have something you really love to do? Walking out in nature is the “something” I love to do. This “something” became even more meaningful, needed, and precious to me back in March 2020 when COVID-19 shut down the world.

Spending time outside allowed me to spread my wings, so to speak. It gave me time to shed the feelings of isolation and confinement, even if momentarily, that seemed to blanket our lives. The day dawned bright—warm sunshine and blue skies, with spring flowers and cherry trees in full bloom. Yes, the world may have shut down, but God’s creation continued to be on full display. It is on days like this, after coming out of a cold, wet West Coast winter, that I truly understand why I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

Walking time equals communion time with my best friend, Jesus. It is a time to pour out from deep within my heart my deepest desires, fears, and longings, a time to talk openly and candidly, with no boundaries. I can tell my best Friend everything.

Nothing is withheld. It is also a time when I love to sing.

The old hymns are among my favorites. The words speak to the depths of my soul as I praise Him in song. I see and find God in the words. Each hymn tells a story. “How Great Thou Art,” “Nearer, My God to Thee,” “I Come to the Garden Alone,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Amazing Grace.” Each one is precious! On one of my walks, these words filled my heart: When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we’d first begun.* Wow! I literally stopped dead in my tracks on the trail. My eyes filled with tears, and my heart overflowed with joy as I stood and looked upward into the blue heavens.

My friends, we really will be with Him for eternity, which will never end. Hold on! We are almost home! As the writer of Hebrews so eloquently says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23, NIV). Thank You, Jesus!

Dorian Honey

* John Newton, “Amazing Grace” (1779).