This is just the Prelude.

I went on a walk this morning; it was only a 20 minute walk at the most, but I spent those minutes in the sunlight and fresh air, doing two things: thinking and imagining. (Two things I think we often forget to do)
And what a walk it was.
I would encourage you to do this, even if you have done it many times before.
Just think and imagine really hard of what Heaven is like.
Doing this for only twenty minutes made me joyful, energized, hopeful, and woke me up from what seemed like a never-ending lull.
Sorry to sound like I'm trying to sell you something here, but you really can't imagine the feeling until you've got it.
So anyway, as I headed for home, it occured to me exactly how long "forever" is.
Let me put it this way:
wow.
It also occured to me that "forever" is exactly how long I have yet to live.
Sure, I'll die here on earth,
but this is only the prelude!

Think about this! Forever is how long it's going to take us to get to really know the Lord. And this is just the prelude to an eternity with Him!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!
(1 John 3:1)

But we need to be aware that nobody ever thinks as much of the actual performance if the prelude is bad.

If we just waste our years on earth, pitifully trying to please ourselves with trinkets of temporary amusement.. isn't it going to be a little awkward when you're staring into the eyes of the One who created you in His very own image? And had high expectations of you?

God gives us each a certain amount of years on earth to decide whether we want to spend eternity living with Him in splendor and victory and love, or dying again and again and again. He gives us this time to get to know Him, and to further His kingdom. It's the prelude to a "forever" of either dying in the consequences, or living in the reward of what we did, or did not accomplish here on earth.

It's our time to decide what our forever looks like.
I think I'll go with Heaven, and I can just say that, because my ticket has been payed for.
You have one, too, in case you were unaware. All you have to do is pick it up at the box office located in your heart.

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:10

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has recieved from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1

I just pray that I will use the prelude years for some hardcore good.
I want to be greeted and welcomed into Heaven with a smile, a hug, and a "Well done" from my Savior.
I can think of no greater reward, and what a motivator to lead a useful life, hm?

:) later!
Chels