Celebration at the Finish Line — What Heaven Might Be Like

Lori here — Do you ever wonder what heaven might be like? What will it look like when we cross the heavenly finish line? Today we’ll imagine together what that day could be like.

The morning was cool for a southern September day. Grey skies hid the sun and kept the temperature hovering in the low 80’s. My husband and I joined the other families jockeying for spots as we set up our folding chairs to face the lake. Behind us, a red banner strung between two poles declared FINISH LINE.

All eyes were trained on the horizon, straining for a glimpse of the first swimmer in the Lake Murray Dam Swim. We checked our watches. It had been forty minutes since the first wave of competitors had entered the water on the other side of the lake, two-and-a-half miles from the finish line.

Our granddaughter was among them.

Watching for Pink

“Watch for pink caps,” my grandson said. “The first group is wearing pink ones.”

In the distance, we could see DNR boats with their blinking lights marking the path. Buoys, kayakers, and paddle boarders flanked the lanes, providing visual markers for the swimmers.

Some swimmers, confused by the vast expanse of the lake and the necessity of swimming with their head down in the water for such a long distance, drifted off course. They wasted valuable time and energy reorienting and correcting their course.

On shore, a ripple ran through the crowd.

In the Distance

“I think I see someone!” a man said, pointing. “It’s a pink cap. And there’s an orange one behind it.”

We all looked, curious to see who’d be the first competitor to swim into the flag-lined finish chute, run down the sandy beach, step on the touch pad, and cross the finish line.

More than one hundred swimmers were competing that morning, so they were released in heats. The winners would be the ones who crossed the lake in the shortest amount of time, not necessarily the first to cross the finish line.

And so we watched, eager to cheer for every swimmer who successfully completed the long journey across the lake.

Not all would.

Not All Would

Some would grow tired and quit. Others would succumb to fear. Some swimmers would start out too fast or too slow and never find their rhythm. Still others would allow doubt to overwhelm them. Some had come unprepared or undertrained.

Those who couldn’t finish were pulled from the lake and ferried back to shore.

“Here they come!” someone yelled. Sure enough, an armada of caps bobbed in the distance. The first swimmers approached the finish chute. A muscular young adult emerged from the water and jogged across the line as the crowd cheered. Two more followed him.

“Here comes the first female,” a woman near me yelled and pointed. “I think that’s Joanie!”

We all cheered when Joannie slogged across the sand, dripping and triumphant. We could feel her joy at not only finishing, but finishing well.

Sometimes in clumps and other times alone, swimmers crossed the finish line as we strained for a glimpse of our girl.

Spotting Our Girl

“There she is!” my grandson yelled, pointing to a pink cap in the distance. Steady and strong, our granddaughter’s arms rose and fell in the water as she neared the end of her race.

We yelled, then we yelled louder. “Go, girlie, go! You’ve got this! Finish strong! You’re almost there!”

Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched my granddaughter cross the line, breathing hard, flushed with exertion, and smiling.

Smiling.

The crowd clapped, and we cheered. Relieved and proud, we swarmed her in hugs.

Later, as I reflected on the excitement of the morning, I wondered.

Is This What Heaven Is Like?

Do our believing loved ones who have gone on ahead watch the horizon, straining for a glimpse of us? Are they cheering us on, encouraging us to finish well? Will they meet us on the other side and envelope us in teary hugs? Will they tell us how proud they are?

Scripture doesn’t tell us everything, but it’s fun to imagine.

No matter what that hallowed day looks like, I know one thing: It will be glorious.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:13–14

And so we press on.

We finish strong.

We finish well.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12:1–2

Run (or swim) your race. People are watching.

Now it’s your turn. What do you imagine your entrance into heaven will look like? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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