The azure bay glinted with a million flames of late afternoon sun. A ring of island sentinels stood unmoved against the pounding white surf calming the waters within their protection. Playful breezes from the sea cooled my sun-heated skin and teased the emerald palms above my head. Gazing into the fathomless crystalline heavens … sharing the wordless affection of my wife and best friend. And oh, the sweet sweet melody of … a 208cc Briggs & Stratton, single stroke engine whipping its hydraulic-pistoned companion into a 3200 psi frenzy!
Sue and I had retreated to a little resort in Boca Chica which in my opinion is one of the nicest places I’ve been on earth. Having just studied Heaven for several months of Wednesdays, I don’t use the word ‘paradise’ lightly, but this might be as close as I’ve come. Except for the workman at the neighboring resort power-washing the steps down to the dock … all 4000 of them! His maniacal machine roared and frothed hour after hour, a rather large and noisy fly in our beautiful ointment.
It really didn’t bother me as much as it could have. It was a reminder that something is coming that is better than the best our world has to offer. There is a place called Paradise prepared for those who have placed their faith in Jesus (Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7). We’re only given enough information about it to whet our appetites, but two things are very clear. First, it is a place without mixture. There will be no fly in the ointment of Heaven (Revelation 21:4); it will be wholly good. Second, its grandest pleasure will not be about the place, but the Person (Revelation 21:3, 22-23). I will be in the presence of my God and Savior and the raucous whine of sin will be forever banished from my heart.
