Yesterday Brian was doing his background to Colossians when he made an aside about our hope for Heaven. Immediately I thought that my experience might help someone who is unsure of their place there, maybe knowing the theory but not the reality.
I tend to have imposter syndrome and knew that as a redeemed believer I should go to Heaven but would I? Perhaps God would allow this because He had to? I had met the 'criteria' so surely He had no choice, but did He want me? In 1984 something my mother-in-law said prompted me to search seriously and within a few weeks our gracious Father had given me an assurance of who I am in His sight and it changed everything. I had been praying constantly when one morning I had a vision of Jesus meeting me and taking me by the hand to God's throne saying 'Here is Johanna'. I was home, I was where I belonged and I have never doubted my eternal future since. In the last few years since I first heard it I often declare/proclaim this chorus and my faith surges. I do not understand why Jesus would die in order for me to spend eternity with Him but He did.
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God
Yes I am
After that happened I was open to so many other things — the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, a reverence for Jesus's shed blood, a new understanding of the Bible, proclamation, the joy of being able to love Him back — and I believe I will continue learning and being changed until I meet Jesus face to face.
Did life suddenly become easy and trouble free? Definitely not. But knowing that I am God's beloved child gets me through whatever life throws at me. It is unshakeable and stops me being shaken!
All I can say is that if there is even a tiny bit of doubt in you about any of God's promises then ask Him to show you the reality. It can come in many ways; through a Bible verse, a song, a sermon or someone just talking to you not knowing that they are answering your doubts.
I do not have the resources to thank God adequately for all He has given me, but my heart surges with love as much as my human frailty allows. He is more wonderful than we can imagine and His desire is for us to receive all that we need.
Please do not feel bad about any doubts, explain them to Jesus, He understands. Ask Him to help you so that you can glorify His name and feel closer to Him.
Johanna Osbeck
Re:Hope West End
Are there any promises of God you need to become ‘real’ to you today as you persist in prayer? Ask Him to show you the reality of them!
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