I am a collector of sunsets. To be fair, I collect sunrises too—but those are a bit harder to catch since I’m usually driving to work when I see one that makes me pull over and reach for my phone. I just can’t resist the color palettes and the way the light spills across the clouds, turning the sky into a brilliant masterpiece. I recently heard my husband say that God must be a Broncos fan given all the blues and oranges He uses to paint the sunsets.
As often as I can, I take a picture. It’s instinctive—an attempt to capture the magnificence my eyes are seeing. Yet it never fails: no matter how many photos I take, the pictures never ever match what I’m actually seeing. The colors are not as vivid and the light never shines through the clouds the same way as it does in person. It’s truly disappointing, but still, I try.
There are other days when I find myself looking to the skies and longing for Christ’s return. It seems this world has gotten increasingly dark and chaotic and sometimes I say in my spirit, “Jesus, wouldn’t today be a perfect day for your return? We could do with a lot less violence and unrest. I’m so ready to see you face to face—where every tear is wiped away, where Satan is bound and your peace reigns forever. Can’t it just be today?”
I’m so encouraged when I read the words of the Apostle John in Revelation 21 and 22. These chapters give us a glimpse of what’s in store for those who are in Christ Jesus. They remind me that no matter how spiritually dark or chaotic this world becomes, we as believers have an unshakable hope! He is preparing something for us that is beyond our wildest imagination! It’s worth taking time to meditate on these passages—really soaking them into our hearts—because they assure us that all will be made right. Here are some words from the text that speak to my soul when the weight of the world becomes so heavy.
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth. Rev. 21:1” Can you even imagine? Everything broken by sin and ruined by evil will be restored to its rightful, perfect condition. The beauty of Eden will be a reality! God will unveil a new creation that won’t ever be marred by the enemy!
“God’s dwelling place is now among the people. Rev. 21:3” From the very beginning, clear back to the garden of Eden, this has always been His plan. Our sin will no longer separate us from Him because Jesus’ blood atoned for the sins of the world. His sacrifice has given us the way to be put right with God and accepting that gift means that we will one day be able to stand in His presence like a bride standing before her bridegroom clothed in white.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Rev. 21:4” I absolutely long for this day—the day when suffering will end and every wound—those caused by this broken world, even the sin done by us—will finally be healed. Relationships will be restored, minds made whole, and hearts mended to perfection.
“They will see his face. Rev. 22:4” I cannot wait! Our faith will become sight and we will worship Him as the risen KING!
Phil Wickham wrote and sings a song called “Hymn of Heaven” that I want sung at my funeral. The lyrics resonate to my core and are the anthem of my heart.
“How I long to breathe the air of heaven
Where pain is gone and mercy fills the streets
To look upon the One who bled to save me
And walk with Him for all eternity.
There will be a day when all will bow before Him
There will be a day when death will be no more
Standing face to face with He who died and rose again
Holy, holy is the Lord.”
So, until that day, I will keep watching the skies and living in the hope of the resurrection.
Yvonne
Wickenkamp
Yvonne is a part of our Christ’s Church family and is married to Jim, our Senior Adult Minister. They have 5 children: Joel, Kayla, Noelle, Angie, Ryan, and 6 grandchildren.
Yvonne is pictured here with her husband, Jim.
