A Glimpse of Heaven
The end of a three day conference was the beginning of my longing for heaven
It started as a whisper. A little boy singing, claiming, with silence, with the silence of a ghost, hearing the drop of a needle.
Drawing a breath and whispering, “Si Hesus ay Panginoon.”
The person beside him hears the whisper. A whisper as soft as leaves falling every springtime, as fluid as a drop of water returning to its ocean.
The whisper becomes an agreement,
“Si Hesus ay Panginoon.”
Across the room, a teenage girl has her heart beating as loud as a drum. The thumping can be heard within her ears, but it is as if only she can hear. She let her eyes close, allowing her whole self to breathe in. As she exhales, she felt a tear rolling down her cheek. A sigh comes out of her lips. And with trembling hands, she declared in silence, in surrender,
“Jesus ist der Herr.”
The agreement becomes a statement.
The man beside her, hearing her, has been fighting against the emotion. The knowledge of unending love, an unbreakable promise. “How can a man so unworthy of death, be willing to die for someone so unworthy of life?” And as he lifts his hands, he proclaims, for the first time in his life,
“Jesus ist der Herr.”
The statement becomes a confession.
Above them, an old man, dressed in a formal suit, bowed his head once again. It has been a long time since the sound has slowly diminished as if the only person besides him is his father. The work has swallowed his passion for Him, and love has turned into duty. He folded his hands, and with heads bowed, he uttered the words he had said so long ago,
“耶稣是上帝.”
The statement becomes an affirmation.
The woman in front of him, pale, has heard the words he uttered out of his soul. And for once, she has not felt fear, but freedom. Freedom from the insecurities, freedom from the failures, and freedom from herself. She dances for joy, and she cups her hands around her mouth, and shouts with joy at the top of voice,
“耶稣是上帝.”
The affirmation becomes a testimony.
Below, a group went on to the stage. The arena was packed and full. No seat was left vacant, and everyone was on their feet. People of all ages were on their feet. Some were praying, some were singing. Some were whispering, some were shouting. Some were standing on their feet, while the others have knelt. But all were claiming the same thing,
“Si Hesus ay Panginoon.”
“Jesus ist der Herr.”
“耶稣是上帝.”
The testimony becomes a battle cry.
The little boy stood in silence and awe. Fourteen thousand people, in thirty different countries, proclaiming in twenty different languages, declaring one bold statement,
“Jesus is Lord.”
The little boy thought, “Lord, if this is a glimpse of heaven, then I cannot wait to be with you.”
