There is something about getting off a plane at Miami International Airport and marching into the sea of confusion that is the “US Immigration” area — something that makes your whole idyllic, relaxing vacation suddenly coagulate into renewed stress.
As we emerged from the hallway we saw at least 30 Immigration officials perched in a long row of glass booths, processing travelers’ papers with varying degrees of intensity or patient boredom, depending. Small placards marked the booths on one half of the row for “Returning US Citizens” and the other for “Visitors,” which seemed like a great idea because the visitors required a longer process. But you could hardly see the placards past the lines of people, and with no signs to direct travelers as they came in, you pretty much took potluck as to how many visitors you had to wait for in the “Citizens” lines. Conversations in French, Spanish and some languages I could not identify swirled around us.
“Man, this is taking forever,” Brent fretted as the clock ticked away the minutes to our connecting flight.
I adjusted my backpack, which seemed to grow heavier by the minute. “I know; I wish we could just skip it.” Too bad; you cannot get past this area and on into the country unless you have your little interview with an official. While waiting, I started mentally comparing this Immigration process to another that I have yet to experience.
Before we could travel out of the US and back, we had to fill out long passport applications, have official photos taken and pay our fees, then wait several weeks for the passports to arrive. You have to keep track of your passport, too. You can’t lose it or you won’t get through Immigration — at least, not in time for a connecting flight. Maybe never. And really, since September 2001 we have had reason to be concerned about whether people are entering the US with harmful intent.
However, in the Kingdom of Heaven no one worries about terror attacks, since the loving and sovereign King of kings is completely in charge. There is just one caveat — only family can enter. Jesus, who is God the Son, is already there preparing a place for his adopted brothers and sisters. No one has to pay a fee to be adopted, since Jesus already paid the incalculable price by giving his life and rising from the dead. Our part is just to trust him — by agreeing that we fail to live up to his perfection, and believing that his death and resurrection are enough to pay the penalty we owe.
In fact, trying to add my merit to his sacrifice would be more than ludicrous. Downright insulting, actually. I mean, you might as well try to enhance Duckling a l’Orange with ketchup, or the Crown Jewels with a chip of limestone.
Unlike our vacation, we won’t need a passport or any other ID to enter Heaven. The Lord knows his own. No papers to lose, nothing printed or signed or stamped by anyone. Neither human approval nor its absence has any bearing on my immigration status with God. Instead, all those who choose to trust him are “sealed” by God’s Holy Spirit. That means we are permanently, eternally identified as his.
When it’s my time to enter Heaven, I just wonder. . . will I have to wait in line?
Oh, well — I guess it won’t matter.
Thanks for reading,
Jan
Be sure to visit this week’s Company Girl Coffee — and read about Rachel Anne’s experience with divine providence.
I have also linked up at Finding Heaven, with the wonderful women of Soli Deo Gloria.
Jan C Johnson, Writer 
love that ending! 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 Thanks, Kendal! I guess we’ll have time, or however one measures eternity.
LikeLike
🙂 If we do have to wait, I have a feeling we won’t mind in the least… Blessings on your day!
LikeLike
I bet you’re right. Thanks for visiting and taking time to comment, Katharine!
LikeLike
I’m sure even if we do have to wait in line, I’m sure it will still feel heavenly compared to customs!
LikeLike
No kidding — especially with no backpack to weigh me down!
LikeLike
Haha, definitely! No pat-down. =p
LikeLike
Hi, Joyce! Brent actually DID get patted down at the airport… when we were leaving home at the beginning of the trip! That just gave me plenty of time to pull myself together, get my shoes back on, etc. (When traveling, I always seem to have more “moving parts” than he does.)
LikeLike
love this story! and I have a feeling we won’t mind waiting, although I doubt we will…in His omnipotence I’m sure He has a moment in time prepared for each of our arrivals…He’s cool like that 🙂
Praying that you would find that secret place this week, that moment in time He has prepared to fellowship with and spend with you right now in this place…no passports or interviews required. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi, Shelly. What a wonderful perspective! Thanks for the comment and prayer, sister.
LikeLike
If I have to stand in line, I hope it’s behind you; we’d have a lot to talk about!
LikeLike
Hey, Brandee! I’d love that. (I can just see all us Soli Deo Gloria girls chatting away, and Gabriel having to make the announcement again!)
LikeLike
Okay, can I just say that I love that thought — all of us chatting away in line in heaven? Awesome!
LikeLike
Hi Janice! This post made me smile ear to ear. I loved Brandee’s post (I’m dreaming for the day when we have a SDG retreat!). I LOVED this line: “I mean, you might as well try to enhance Duckling a l’Orange with ketchup, or the Crown Jewels with a chip of limestone.” I loved the paragraph after that line. Awesome, awesome stuff.
I’m heading out of the country this weekend for the first time in years. I know I’ll think of you as I hit customs in Fort Lauderdale – with two toddlers, a mother, and a husband in tow!!!! Feel free to pray for us! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by the site today. It was awesome to see you there. I pray JOY over you tonight – incalculable, palpable joy.
LikeLike
Thanks for the encouraging comment and the prayer, Jenny! Hmmmm… “SDG retreat” … boy, does that get the wheels turning!
So, enjoy your trip, and may your return be swift and uneventful!
LikeLike
Great wondering…it could take a while because God’s family is BIG!
LikeLike
Welcome, Pamela! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Oh, and I love your take on “Defiant Joy!”
LikeLike
I will take this analogy with me today. . .thank you for putting an eternal “spin” on these annoying little pieces of life. . .you are so right about the Kingdom!!! Can’t wait for glorious Eternity without these lines, fear, or impatience. . .rather, spending it with our King and sisters and brothers alike 🙂
LikeLike
I like the idea that we won’t struggle with impatience any more. Thank you for the sweet comment!
LikeLike
Pingback: When Words Grow Obsolete… | Joywriting: Everybody Has a Story