Once And Future Joy

Jeremiah 31:4b -- "Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful."

image: "Tabourine Dancer" by Eggleston

Soft, cool, lush grass sprung under bare feet and tree leaves danced on whimsical breezes. Dew drops sparkled with fresh morning sunlight while brightly colored birds sang loudly - unintimidated by the couple who walked hand in hand through a perfect nature.

There was no love deeper than the love gifted to them by their Father. And with Him they would spend hours walking through the amazing and brand new earth.

What joy! What light - shining around them as their Creator joined them on this daily stroll. It seemed that nothing could keep them apart from Him. Nothing could tarnish their love of their Lord and their deep ache to meet with Him, talk with Him, love Him. I can picture it so clearly when I shut my eyes. I can nearly smell the lush beauty growing around them, hear the gently gurgling brooks, and taste the pristine fruit growing so ready and ripe on low hanging branches.

Sheer perfection.

Don't you ache for that? When bombarded with depressing arguments over public bathrooms, inconsiderate and self-absorbed commuters, terrorism, and economic destruction don't you ache for the long-awaited opportunity to bow low at the feet of Jesus and love him in person?

I do.

And the wonderful thing is - we will! Jeremiah 31:4 reminds us that we will once again take up our musical instruments and go out to dance with the joyful. There is our hope, our light - our once and future joy! This cacophony of human discord and imperfection is but a fleeting moment. This place is not our treasure. It is not our home. It's only a short blink of the eye.

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for the gift of your blood as you took all of my sin upon your shoulders on the cross. Thank you for your hope. Thank you for the gift of future joy. Thank you for the earthly dances you have gifted to me and for the great and wonderful jubilee that is to come.