a heavenly perspective

I knocked on their dressing room and the trainer answered in a gruff voice, “What?!”

"It’s time to go," I said, pointing at my watch.

“All right,” he said, closing the door.

A few minutes later out they came, the opposing team. I told them to line up according to their number, but they already knew that. They had done it a million times.

Once they were in line and ready to go, I cued the announcer. One-by-one they were introduced to the crowd and sprinted onto the field.

The introductions went quickly and the crowd booed several of them, some because they were talented and others because they were perceived as dirty players.

That done, I stood waiting, as always. Waiting for the crowd to get antsy as they eagerly anticipated their team—the home team—being announced.

Once the clapping and stomping started, I knew it was time. Walking over to the St. Louis Steamers’ locker room, I knocked on the door. A friendly face answered, saw it was me, and said “We’ll be right out.”

As the players filed out of the locker room towards the south goal, I said the magic words into my headset:

“Dump the house lights and ballyhoo the house.”

Instantly the lights in the auditorium were turned off and the spotlights began spinning wildly around the now darkened building. The stomping and cheering got louder, louder and louder.

Once it reached its peak—and the players now lined up ready to be introduced—I cued the man operating the dry ice machine and fog started pouring out. At the same time, I told the audio guy to start playing the team’s theme song.

And then, finally, the fans get what they want as their favorite players are introduced slowly and dramatically. Each of them sprint through a cloud of fog and wave to the crowd with “Aint no Stopping us Now” blaring on the speakers.

“From Glasgow, Scotland, number twenty-twooooo, Tony…Glaaaaaavin!”

Remembering back to my St. Louis Steamers indoor soccer days always brings a smile to my face. I never got tired of game nights, with the old Arena stuffed to the brim and the thrill of coordinating team introductions. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

As exciting as it was, however, there’s something that will be infinitely more thrilling. Something so exciting I can hardly wait. The time when I’ll be with the Lord—along with all the other children of God—worshiping and praising at the top of our lungs.

“Then a voice came from the throne, saying: ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!’

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)’”1

Ever been to a wedding? Well, this will be the wedding to end all weddings, when the church of Jesus Christ becomes His bride in heaven. And worship? Oh my, there’s going to be some serious worship going on.

While I don’t pretend to totally understand the full meaning of the above verses, I do know this: The wedding of the Lamb is going to make coordinating Steamers team introductions look pathetic in comparison.

What about you? Are you looking forward to heaven or do you focus more on this life?

If you have trouble getting your eyes off this life and thinking about heaven, I get it. I do the same thing. It’s called being human.

Because of that, sometimes we need to be a little more deliberate when it comes to having a heavenly perspective. Practically speaking that means re-reading the verses above and contemplating what heaven will be like.

What do you say? Are you up for a little excitement today? Then let’s take a few minutes and imagine what heaven will be like.

·         What will it be like to be with our heavenly Father?

·         What will it be like to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

·         What will it be like to no longer experience sin, death, pain, suffering and grief?

·         What will it be like to see loved ones who have passed away?

Think about it. Savor it. And enjoy it.

Doing Steamers introductions was a blast. But heaven, oh my goodness, heaven…

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!”

1  Revelation 19:5-8