Stamps, Books, and the Journey

If you know me then you know I keep a fresh coat of light pink on my nails. It is my go-to, simple, classic, and always polished. So there I was, same chair, same time, my usual nail appointment, expecting nothing more than an hour of quiet relaxation. But what I did not expect was for the Holy Spirit to meet me right there in the nail salon, using a travel documentary to stir something deep within me.

The screen in front of me played breathtaking footage of Thailand. Crystal clear waters, lush mountains, golden temples glowing under the sun. The beauty was overwhelming, so much so that my eyes welled up with tears. And then a feeling I was not expecting crept in. Jealousy.

Now let me be clear. I know I still have the opportunity to travel. My passport is not locked away forever. But in that moment, I felt like I was missing out. I thought about all the places I had not seen, the experiences I had not had, and for a split second, I felt a little left out. Like life was passing me by, and I was not collecting enough stamps to prove I had really lived.

But then, almost as if he had pulled up a chair beside me, the Holy Spirit spoke. The same God who created this beauty as just a glimpse of his creativity is the same God who created heaven.

I sat there completely still as conviction settled over me. How often do we get caught up in the temporary. The breathtaking views, the places we dream of visiting, the experiences we chase. None of them are wrong in themselves. God designed this earth with such majesty and detail, allowing us to see his artistry on full display. The mountains, the oceans, the skies painted in sunset hues. All of it is just a fraction of his creative power.

And then it hit me. If the earth is this beautiful and it is just a glimpse of God’s creativity then what must heaven be like.

Cue Tamela Mann’s “I Can Only Imagine.”

I imagine heaven bursting with colors our eyes have never seen. Landscapes untouched by destruction. An atmosphere filled with the very presence of God himself. A place where the rivers sparkle like diamonds. Where peace is not just a feeling but the very air we breathe. No pollution, no sickness, no decay. Just perfection. Just glory. Just home.

And here I was sitting in my little chair at the nail salon feeling jealous over something temporary when God has promised me something eternal.

I could spend my life filling my passport with stamps from every corner of the earth, chasing the most breathtaking sights and experiences. But at the end of it all, if my name is not written in the book of life, what would it have been for. No amount of travel, adventure, or worldly beauty can compare to the eternal glory that awaits those who know him.

That moment in the nail salon did not take away my desire to travel. If anything, it reminded me why I long to see the world. Every mountain, every ocean, every wonder of creation is just a glimpse of the masterful hand of God. And if he gave us this much beauty on earth, I can only imagine what awaits us in eternity.

So go. Explore. Fill your passport with stamps and take in the breathtaking sights of this world. And if travel is not possible for you right now, know that you are not missing out. The same God who paints the skies of distant lands is the same God who paints the sunrise outside your window. His beauty is everywhere, and his presence is not limited to far-off places.

More than anything, make sure your name is written in the book that matters most. Because at the end of this journey, the greatest destination is not one found on a map. It is found in him.

-Chassitie L.