Beyond Imagination

I am walking in the woods on this crisp, spring morning. It’s such a delight to be carrying my offerings to God today! This has been a very productive week and I so enjoy the sense of fulfillment I carry with me now. Living in His presence has been more than I could ever have imagined.

I’ve taken this walk on many occasions over time and there is always some unseen beauty revealed that I seemed to have missed previously...or perhaps it’s just the Savior creating new things for us to revel in...He’s like that you know.

The path to the city is always filled with breathtaking colors, like walking in a kaleidoscope of light. It easily winds with grace up the gently sloping hillside that will carry me around to the river. I will hear it’s rippling before I actually see it but my heart beats with excitement and anticipation just thinking of what my eyes will behold. Amazingly, even though I’ve seen it a thousand times before, it always seems new again. The crystal clear water, the peaceful sound of which none compares is so fitting as I approach the light of the city.

I hear it now! A sound like no other on earth. It sings of life and it’s movement is such that it creates a breeze that wafts the sweet fragrance of the city across my face. I inhale deeply and smell the very essence of our God. Oh, the scent is nothing short of heavenly! More refreshing than any of my favorite scents of jasmine, lavender or roses could ever hope to be.

The lush woods and their sounds have now given way to the tended orchards and vineyards of our Master. The aura of His city is like the brightest of rainbows continually flowing across the turquoise sky in swaths of waving colors. Today I take the path beside the river, look into it’s crystal ripples and across to the other side. The stones of jasper, onyx and sardis that it washes over give out their own distinct glow - individually as they were created - much like the redeemed who live here. Across it’s breadth, on the other bank, the orchards are just as full as the ones I’m walking through. This season’s fruits are full and lush, waiting to be picked on our return from worship. It’s fascinating that the leaves are just as inviting as the fruit. I’m so grateful for the life-giving, healing provision of our Lord.

The redeemed begin to meet and merge in fellowship and laughter, walking along the shining paths and streets. We follow their light all the way through the massive, white city gates calling us, welcoming us, into His Holiness. An expectant hush and reverent awe falls over us as we converge in the center, where the river flows from the throne of the Master. It’s design is perfect and it’s beauty defies description. The richness and extravagance is beyond amazing and our Heavenly Father has truly spared no detail nor cut short any feature. We will be even more fulfilled after our worship today and our joy will be for eternity.

Revelation chapter 22