The Masters and Heaven

I spent yesterday at the Augusta National watching the first round of the Masters Tournament. I've been going there since I was in junior high school and, to tell you the truth, it doesn't excite me that much anymore. I play a little golf (bogey golf) and enjoy it but as I get a little older the Masters becomes a lot of been there, done that. I've seen some great players over the years. I've watched some incredible shots. My greatest Masters memory is following Jack Nicklaus on every hole of the third round when he made his memorable march toward his record 6th green jacket in 1986.

My favorite thing to do these days is to take a rookie with me to the tournament. I do get a thrill taking golf fans who have never been to the National. Yesterday, I took a ministry partner with me who is a big fan and he really appreciated the course, the players, and the execution of the shots that they made. My friend is a Kingdom worker in Asia - in a country where you must have "Creative Access" in order to work. So for him to happen to be in the States during the week of the Masters was quite convenient for him.

As I stood and watched the tournament, I thought about how the Augusta National is like heaven to a golf fan. I also noted some similarities between the Masters and Heaven. Things like:

• Everyone quietly focused on each move the golfers made.
• Roars of praise when a great shot was executed.
• Collective woes when a shot was not so good.
• Courtesy, hospitality, and smiles are everywhere.
• The beauty of creation surrounding everyone.
• Everyone seemed to be just glad to be there.

I think heaven will have some of the same traits. We will stand in awe of our Lord focusing completely on him. We will shout praises for his amazing grace, incredible love, and unending mercy. We will share compassion for each other with a selfless love. There will be smiles, joy, and great happiness in heaven. The beauty of heaven is unimaginable. Heck, we will walk on streets of gold! 'Nuff said about that. And, of course, like the Masters, everyone will be glad to be in heaven.

The Augusta National may not be a great example of what heaven will be like but it at least caused me to smile and wonder at how amazing heaven will really be. I mean, if some people think a little golf course in Augusta, GA is heaven - how much more will it really be when we get there! It is indescribable, I'm sure.