What Will Be Your First?

Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. 

1 Corinthians 2:9

As I reflect on the many "firsts" I have had in my life, I feel the warmth of love and tenderness of having had experienced these precious and priceless moments. The first word my oldest daughter spoke at the age of 6 months. The first time she reached out her little hands to be held and hugged. The first time she ate spaghetti and wore more on her face than consumed in her tiny belly. Her first hair cut. The moment my daughter looked up at me on her third birthday and asked, "Is my two all gone?" The first child to graduate high school and then college. The first time the man who would become my husband would reach out and take my hand and place it into his. The moment I remember feeling loved and accepted by someone other than my family. My very first nursing job after graduating nursing school. The moment I reached my goal of getting through grad school and getting to don the garments bestowed on those who survived. Yes, I have had many wonderful firsts and I anticipate a future filled with them. 

Christ reminds us that in Him we can anticipate, and journey life with excitement, because He is preparing for us a kingdom filled with things that our eyes have not seen nor our ears have heard nor our minds can even conceive. Jesus, a man who died to let us experience eternity filled with firsts. The first time I look into the face of the Man who died for me and declared "clean and forgiven." The first time I will wake up knowing that eternity promises to be free from body aches and pain, difficult relationships, disease, disasters, hate, evil, jealousy, lies, abuse, fatigue, strife, drudgery, and trials of various kinds. Jesus, a man who promises to fill my heart with love the first time I see Him face to face. 

What will be my first? I can only Imagine, as the song by MercyMe goes. 

                                                 I can only imagine 

What it will be like 
When I walk 
By your side 

I can only imagine 
What my eyes will see 
When your face 
Is before me 
I can only imagine 

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel 
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still 
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall 
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all 
I can only imagine 

I can only imagine 
When that day comes 
And I find myself 
Standing in the Son 

I can only imagine 
When all I will do 
Is forever 
Forever worship You 
I can only imagine

What will be your first? Come to Jesus, and with great anticipation, Imagine. 

Father, today I come to You with excitement and anticipation as I imagine the joy of what will be my first moment in Your presence. Keep my eyes and heart upon you. Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5) and You, Jesus, are my hope.