Potty Literature

I am a reader. Fact.

I read everything. Multiple times. Every time I see it. Compulsively.

On the tube of toothpaste: “For best results squeeze tube from bottom and flatten.”

On cereal boxes: “To open, lift tab and slide finger to left and right.” “To close, insert tab here.”

On the back of Mergs’ car: “America’s greatest little city, LaGrange, Ga.”

Above the sink in restaurant bathrooms: “Employees must wash hands before returning to work.”

On a book coming down the stairs at Juliet’s house: “Ambulatory Medicine.”

On our fridge: “Pray for Katie.”

Perhaps you’re beginning to get the picture. It is a frustrating obsession.

However, sometimes I do read meaningful things. And I hear from the Lord in the most random places.

Most recently: the guest bathroom at the McCormick’s house.

Above the hand towel: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

I do love my water, so I had the privilege of reading this framed verse a handful of times in the five hours I spent in the McCormick home.

Though I have heard this verse for most of my life and even experience this Truth on a regular basis, it struck me in a new way as I studied it that Sunday afternoon.

The joy and pleasure of heaven is beyond our wildest imagination, utterly incomprehensible, sweeter than our most precious hopes.

What He has prepared for us in new creation is that which we were made for in the beginning: Himself. Unhindered physical, spiritual, mental and emotional access to the glorious Creator awaits us. The most intimate and delightful fellowship with the Originator and Definition of Love is ours. The faintest longings of our souls at this very moment will be infinitely satisfied in the One who made us in His image. We cannot be complete until we rest in Him.

He is so Otherly.

No eye has seen—because everything we see is fallen.

Nor ear heard—because the notes of Perfection are imperceptible to ears marred by lies and mutiny.

Nor the heart of man imagined—because our sin nature cripples our imagination.

What God has prepared—and what painstaking preparation it has required. He first conceived the idea, pursued the rescue mission, paid the blood-price to invite us in, conquered death that we may enjoy Him eternally, and granted His Spirit to live within the hearts of His followers, all that our names may be written in His Book of Life.

For those who love Him—if the heart does not love God, there is no inheritance. Desire is paramount from both the Pursuer and the pursued. The Pursuer has made His move. He pursues still.

I had always read this with the present in mind, with this life in mind. I thought, “Sure, God’s plans for my life one year, one decade, one-quarter century from now, are much better and far more glorious than anything I can fathom.” And I do believe that is true.

But how much more wonderful is the hope of heaven! That He loves us so perfectly to offer us what is best, the satisfaction we were created for.

He offers us Himself.

Today.

Tomorrow.

And every tomorrow after that.