24. Heaven rejoices over you

This morning I went for a walk in the Estate where we live. We have lovely parks with some of the natural vegetation left by the developers. Now this morning I saw amongst the thorn trees a small deer. It was the most lovely thing in the early morning sun. I was so excited and couldn't wait to tell my two boys about it. But then I stopped to think about it. Why was I so excited? I mean I have seen probably thousands of deer in my life. I can simply go to a zoo and see a lot of them. Why am I so excited then? Then I realized it is because he is free. He is free to roam as he wishes and to go where he pleases unlike the animals in the zoo that are bound to one area, whether they want to or not. I was privileged to see him this morning, but when I see them in the zoo I don't even glance at them, because it doesn't feel special. They don't have a choice.

The same is true for us. The Lord didn't make us robots that have to follow His Will with no choice in the matter. We are not caged in with no choice but to stay there. No, God gave us freedom. He gave us the freedom of choice. And that is why there is so much excitement in heaven when one of us decides to give our lives to Him, to turn to Him out of free will.

Jesus also taught several parables and a lot of them are about something being lost. Like the sheep that was lost, the son that was lost, the coin that was lost etc etc. And He spoke about the rejoicing in Heaven when what was lost is found again.

The other day I went shopping and my two boys were all around me whilst I shopped. Now as it happens I was busy looking at something and when I looked up they were gone. I immediately started searching, my heart pounding and my mind racing as to where they could be. To cut a long story short, I found them hiding from me between the clothes and I was so relieved to see them (they did get a hiding though and some stern words, but I was immensely relieved). That night I gave them each a special hug, which I wouldn't have done if they weren't 'lost'. There is much rejoicing when lost things and especially lost people are found.

Heaven rejoices over us that make the choice not to be lost anymore, but to be part of His Kingdom. It is like seeing a cheetah in the wild walking over the road right in front of your car with small cubs, except the rejoicing is a 10 000 000 times more intense. And as much as Heaven is rejoicing about you, they are rejoicing about each person you bring in as well. Remember that next time you share the Good News with someone. Remember that too if you don't feel like sharing the Good News.

Lord thank you for giving us a free will. We freely choose to follow You. We love You and we long to be with You one day. Amen

1 comment for “24. Heaven rejoices over you”

  1. Gravatar of RonelleRonelle
    Posted Wednesday, 09 November 2011 at 7:01:12 AM

    Dear Ilze, I can relate to your experience. We have just returned from Addo elephant park. The joy and freedom of the animals astounded us. We loved watching them playing around in the dams. Even the lion looked happy and friendly. Thank you God for our freedom!

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