Stepping in the clouds song

Have you ever had one of those dreams where you were floating, maybe flying
in the sky looking down on the earth below? No, neither have I, but I have
heard about people who dream weird things like that. Actually I never gave
it any thought until we recently took a hot air balloon flight.

I have to say that it was a cool experience. What was the most surprising
aspect of the flight was the quiet (except for the occasional roar of the
burners). Also surprising was that it didn't feel like you were moving at
all! You really did just float along in the air above the troubles and cares
of the world!

As I reflect upon that experience I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul had
to say in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16, "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we
want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will
not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus
died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns,
God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this
directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will
not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come
down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will
rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and
remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with
these words." (NLT)

There is an old Gospel hymn called, "Stepping in the clouds," and of course
this verse is the inspiration for that song. It is also the inspiration for
us as we live on and in this earthly world. Living here knowing that there
is something better on the way for us. Paul said: "So encourage each other
with these words." Another translation says, "So reassure one another with
these words."

You may never have had the opportunity to float gently through the clouds
(in a hot air balloon or otherwise), but if you haven't you need to add the
word, "Yet." You need to hold on to the thought, "I haven't done that YET,
but the Lord says my time is coming!" So, be encouraged, be reassured that
there is a time of peace coming. There is a time of being lifted above the
cares of this present world coming! "So encourage each other with these
words!"

Russ Lawson