No place that far

“Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me (John 14:1-3).” In the last days prior to his crucifixion, Jesus comforted his troubled disciples with this wonderful promise. Not anxious to see him leave and having accepted his invitation to “follow me,” the disciples had spent the three years of Christ’s earthly ministry by his side, taking in his teachings, witnessing miracles and learning by his compassionate example how to love one another (1 Peter 3:8). Putting others first is not an instinctive human quality, but serving those in need does yield rich rewards. Jesus knew his time on earth was coming to an end, yet he cared enough for those closest to him to make sure they clearly understood his word, giving his personal assurance that he would never leave them or forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:8). We have that same security and peace as believers, knowing our eternal place is being prepared just as he promised. While we can’t reach out and touch heaven, we can know with certainty that such a place is never too far away when the Spirit of God lives within our hearts.