February 14, 2025 Devo

Yesterday I wrote about the beauty of dying with the knowledge that we get to be with God forever. That is a rich and hope-giving truth that we hold dear. But I feel I need to say this: If there were no heaven, and this life was all we get, whether we served God or not, I would still serve Him. Don’t get me wrong. I’m truly thankful for Heaven. I’ve been with enough godly people in the last days of their lives to know that I want to die with that same glimmer of hope in my eyes that I’ve seen in theirs. But even if that was not a part of “the deal,” I love my walk with God right now. When I was reading our passage today, the phrase “granting me the joy of your presence” caught my heart. I said, “Yes! That’s how I feel!” NOW is enough.
I love living in the unconditional love that I feel in the presence of God. He accepts me just as I am. He loves me when I’m at my worst. He embraces me with that love on days when I don’t really even love myself. His love gives me JOY. GREAT joy. I love living in the courage His presence gives me. When you know God is with you, it removes the paralyzing fear of failure and sets you free to reach for the stars. I’m well aware of my human limitations, but I’ve also experienced the exhilaration of being used by God in ways I never thought possible. He’s given my life meaning, purpose, and passion. If all I got was 50 or 60 years’ worth of that, it’s been an irreplaceable joy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
When we become His Child, we also receive the gift that every human is looking for: A sense of Identity. Joy isn’t knowing how much you have. It’s knowing who you ARE. Experiencing His love, living in faith, and knowing I am a Child of The King has made this journey with God more than I had ever hoped for. That’s why even though I’m looking forward to Eternity, my Heaven has already started right here on earth. I hope yours has, too. With Jesus, NOW is enough. That’s God’s Word for you today.