How My Hometown Reveals A Little Hint Of What We Have To Look Forward To In Heaven
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a photo I took at 10:30 PM a few days before solstice
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Speaking of the New Heaven and New Earth, the ancient prophet Isaiah said:
“No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end” (Isaiah 60:19-20, NLT).
Do you wonder what it will be like when this day finally comes?
What will it be like to live in the everlasting light of God Himself, with no more darkness?
Though I can only imagine what it will be like to continually live in God's light, I like to think that the magnificent midnight sun we enjoy here in Fairbanks gives us a hint.
This past Saturday we celebrated Summer Solstice—the longest of our long summer days—and so this week I decided to share an article I wrote a couple of years ago that was originally published in my local newspaper. In it, I reflect on the beauty of our light-filled summers and how they give us a glimpse of eternity to come.
Check it out below!
Summer In Fairbanks, A Slice Of Heaven*
This week is a big one for Fairbanks as we celebrate Summer Solstice. Though June 21st is the longest day of the year, it’s happily only one of over 70 days on which we receive 24 hours of daylight. (This is because of the light we get from civil twilight, which occurs just before sunrise and just after sunset and is characterized by enough light for activities to be conducted outdoors without the aid of artificial light.)
We Alaskans adore our summer sunshine and take full advantage of it. We can’t seem to stop ourselves from being out at all hours, mowing our lawns, tending our gardens, camping, fishing, running, playing music, and having parties and picnics.
There’s an atmosphere of energy and jubilation. Yet there’s also a sense of relaxation as the edges of time grow hazy and days stretch on as endlessly as a Kansas prairie.
One of my favorite things about the ubiquitous daylight is our enchanting evenings. I love how the air grows cool and mellow as the busyness of the day is washed away. Under the slanting sun our green hills glimmer like jewels, lakes and rivers sparkle, and the horizon glows gold. As if rejoicing in the light, birds sing and leaves rustle.
I never cease to be delighted by these sights and sounds. But what I love most about these sunny evenings is the feelings they evoke. There’s a softness and a gentleness to the light that speaks to me of peace and safety. The closest I can come to putting it into words is, “All is good. All is beautiful. All is well.” Everything feels right in the world. The fear, discouragement, and lethargy that linger in our hard, dark winter sky are banished, replaced with grace and goodwill.
Our sun-infused Fairbanks summers are a little slice of Heaven, and when I contemplate their loveliness, I can’t help but think of the words of the ancient prophet Isaiah.
Speaking of the New Heaven and New Earth, he declared this: “No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end” (Isaiah 60:19-20, NLT).
In this glimpse of what’s to come, we’re given a vision of eternal daylight and all it entails: infinite energy, growth, work (the good kind), play, and security. Never again will we cower in darkness. Never again will we bemoan our lack of time to fulfill what is in our hearts. Together we’ll live sheltered by God, enraptured with His love, and enriched by community.
Though summer in Fairbanks isn’t perfect, it does give us a pretty good taste of paradise.
I’m looking forward to living eternally in God’s light when everything will truly be made right. But until then, I’m soaking up as much solstice sunshine as I can!
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Is there anything about your hometown that gives you a little glimpse of Heaven? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
In purpose and faith,
*Originally published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
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