Dancing Shoes in Heaven?
When Jesus returns and God establishes His new heavens and new earth, the Bible assures us that His children will be given “robes of righteousness,” “garments of salvation,” and “crowns of rejoicing.” (Isaiah 61:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:19) We’ll be attired in royal dress for the wedding supper of the Lamb, and we’ll be Eden-beautiful.
I’m asking now because I may forget when the Day comes: “Lord, will there be dancing shoes in heaven?”
That question came to me after meditating on Psalm 30. It’s a rich song of praise to God for His response to a desperate prayer. If most of your prayers feel desperate these days, I hope the following insights gleaned from this psalm will encourage you.
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The thing about answered prayers is that God is so good, so often, we tend to feel entitled. Like spoiled children, we expect the Christian life to be easy and comfortable. When Father answers our “big” prayers, we may be prompted to thank Him, but His everyday faithfulness in the details that we may take for granted is just as worthy of our praise. I beat this drum a lot, and I’m beating it again today. Make it your habit to intentionally notice and record in a journal the blessings in your life. Each journal filled will become your personal testimony of God’s activity and care in your life. When your faith is weary or tested, you can glance at that stack of journals and be reminded that God stands with you and hears your prayers.
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Life with the Lord isn’t a flat, straight road. As you journey with Him, rest assured that there will be hairpin turns, arduous uphill stretches, shadowed valleys, bleak deserts, and all manner of obstacles to work around. But friend, stay the course. The path is leading you home! One day, you’ll stand at the summit of life, and all your heart will be able to do is worship God! The glory of every promise fulfilled will lie before you and sweep you up in awe and wonder. The bruises, wrong turns, and dangers of the journey will be healed and forgotten. The long night will give way to eternal day, and you’ll wonder why you ever doubted God’s plan. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
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Human hearts tend to equate success and security with God’s favor. Certainly, God does grant those things, but they can be used by the enemy to deceive us into the illusion of being self-sufficient. Instead of becoming full of gratitude, we become full of pride. How easy it is to take credit for the good things in our lives and to congratulate ourselves with the rewards of our hard work. Times of prosperity can lull us into independence from God. But all the while, all the time, all the good things in your life have come from His hands. Stay humble.
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Don’t run from God when troubles come. He’s no less present in your suffering and pain than in times of peace and prosperity. In fact, the force of the storms in your life will strip away the veneer of this world. Your eyes will be opened to how much you truly need God, how able He is to care for you, and how present He is in your isolation and loneliness. There’s a deep peace that comes with trusting in His promises, knowing that He is enough and that He’s leading you through your trials on the trail to glory. You’ll one day join the psalmist with your testimony of praise: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12)
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O Lord my God, please let there be dancing shoes in heaven!
