City Life

     I had the privilege of going to New York a couple of weeks ago. I had a wonderful time and come to love the city of New York in the six days I was there. I had heard many things about New York before I went, some things good and some things not so good. Not to mention most of the TV shows take place in New York and most are crime stories. But I decided I would go in spite of the reputation and bad reviews that I had read. So on April 30^th, I took off on my great adventure to NY.
     Upon my arrival to NY I found that folks were much more polite and helpful then I had heard they would be. Although most didn’t seem to know how to take a smile and hello from a random stranger on the street, they still would respond, even if only with a tip of the head or a slight smile back. But what I found was many folks walking the street that were humans just like me. I’m sure there were many worries and cares on the minds of the folks I saw each day, just like the worry and cares that weight me down at times. They were all just trying to get everything accomplished in the short time the day allowed as quickly and efficiently as they could, not unlike me on the days that I feel that there is not enough time in the day to do all that needs done. They were all just trying to get by and enjoy the little things of life just like me.
     The things I was most in awe of was the tall buildings and the beauty and detail that was a part of each one. There was art and sculpture in about every building façade and window. Every nook and cranny was art just waiting to be discovered. Central Park was no exception, there was more beauty and sculptures to see then one could see in several trips. I feel like I only saw a fraction of the beauty that NY and Central Park has to offer and hope to return one day and explore even more of it’s beauty.
     At first I couldn’t understand why I fell in love with the city of New York. I have thought a lot about the peace and joy it brought me to be a part of it for those few days and can’t believe that I felt so comfortable and safe being a small speck in this city of millions. But after much thought and many walks down memory lane I think I finally understand why I loved my time in New York so much. Let me try to explain so that you to can see this great city as I did.
     I just keep thinking if man can build a beautiful city like this what has the Lord got in store for us with the new Jerusalem and the new earth, that the Bible speaks about in Revelations. The Bible speaks about the beauty of the city and the new earth. And it will be a place of overwhelming and awe inspiring sights and will have multitudes of believers dwelling within these new realms. So as I took in all the awesome sights of NY and the Park and experienced the joy and excitement of exploring this new place, I couldn’t help thinking about eternity and the beauty it will hold. If man can build and create this awesome and wonderful place then Heaven, the New Earth and the New Jerusalem are going to be out of this world! (no pun intended) It will take traveling to a whole new realm of possibilities. Talk about a trip to remember, I can’t wait to make the trip to eternity and start the adventure that will be unending. Even after enjoying NY my mind still cannot comprehend the beauty and adventure that awaits me.
     Then my mind goes to the other reason I loved NY so much, there are so many people and it is easy to just be part of the group as you walk the streets and enjoy the sights and just soak up the feeling of living. While I was there no one brought up my past, or gave me that knowing look of pity or disgust. I didn’t stand out because of my childhood or the many bad decisions I have made along the way. I was accepted just because I was there in the city going about my day like everyone else. And I didn’t get distracted by anyone else’s baggage either, there was no judgment of them on what I might have heard from others, or what they had done to me in the past. It was a great feeling to only be known and only know as we were at that very moment of meeting in the street as we walked along through the day. Wow, to realize that Eternity is going to be that way, only on a much bigger and perfect scale. That this feeling I have had in this man made city is only a drop in the bucket as to how it will feel in Eternity. We will fellowship in the moment without the distractions of the past to taint the feeling of joy we will experience there.
     These are only a couple of reasons that I fell in love with New York City. But these reasons have given me more then enough memories to fuel my excitement about going to the place in eternity called Heaven. What a finally trip that will be, I am making preparation right now, how about you?