“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11, NLT)

This time of year always spurs nostalgia for me. I am one of those “wierdos” who really loved school, grammar school, high school, college, graduate school—all of it. I loved the challenge of learning; I loved the smell of books; I loved recess; I loved hanging out and talking about stuff with my classmates and instructors. Every fall when my children go back to school, I deal with the green-eyed monster. I want to go too! One of my dreams is to attain a doctorate so I may trick someone to pay me to go back to school. That would be the ultimate!

One of the great joys of living in America is that even if I can’t do exactly what I want to do, I can at least live vicariously. I teach Junior Achievement at the elementary school. I have an extensive personal library. I can go and play with kids from the Christian Education Centerwhile they are taking their daily break from the classroom. It’s not being back in school, but it is close.

I have lately been challenged to rethink my outlook towards heaven. Several of the books I have recently read (reviews soon to come) remind me that because of Christ this life is a glimpse into eternity. For me school was mostly a positive experience, so I long to repeat the joys of yesterday. What I am called to, however, is a yearning for the completion of present joys, things that are placed in my life to entice me to live with eternity in mind.

When a child’s face brightens when he sees me and he runs to give me a hug: joy. When a favorite meal is placed before me: joy. When a laborious task stands completed: joy. When a sunrise is resplendent in color: joy. When a friend comes alongside to help: joy. When the ocean wave crashes at my feet: joy. When the first spoonful of homemade ice cream is shared: joy. When I witness someone commit themselves to being a life-long follower of Jesus: joy!

All these joys and far more are but a taste of the JOY in store for those who are loved by Christ and indwelled by his Spirit. I am trying to allow God to reorient my mind to not only celebrate the joys in this life, past and present, but to see each joy as a little indication, a short preview, of the uninterrupted bliss that is to be heaven.

Thanks be to God for the foretaste of joy!