A Taste of Heaven

Many years ago, when I was a new Christian, I remember asking the guy who was trying to help me get to know God better “how can we know what heaven is like?” He told me that every now and then God gives you a taste of heaven. It was one of those little remarks that stayed with me.

Recently I was helping on a course at one of the Ellel centres. The group of us there that weekend turned out to be one of the most multi-cultural, multi-ethnic gatherings I think I have ever been in. There were people from all the social classes and many different church backgrounds too, and I wondered how it would all work out for the teaching and ministry with such diversity. There seemed to be so much negative comment in the press prior to the election about the difficulties of getting along together.

I’m sure you know what I’m going to say. God showed up and it was a great weekend. There was a particular time which touched my heart. The worship was being led by a new, young team, who’ve not had much experience, and yet we were all transported to the presence of God. At one point I opened my eyes and saw and experienced the unity and oneness there that day. There were Pentecostals, traditional Anglicans of many years and everything in-between, all lost in wonder, love and praise to our amazing God.

For me it was one of those ‘tastes of heaven’ that I’d been told about, and it reminded me of our scripture for today, which is what Jesus prayed for us all, just before He was betrayed to death. Sometimes we look around at the world, and even the Church, and wonder where the unity and oneness Jesus prayed for is. Well I found it that day. It’s when we come together in the presence of our God to worship Him.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the unity we have in You. May the world know more of You, and Your love for us, and want to share in that love. Amen.