A Glimpse of Heaven

By Avery Schall, high school senior and longtime Chimney Point camper

My dad is infamous for quoting lines from just three movies. One of his favorites is from “Field of Dreams.” 

‘Is this heaven?’
‘No, it’s Iowa.’
‘Iowa? I could have sworn it was heaven.’ 

This scene (and my dad quoting it often) comes to mind every summer as my family is welcomed into Pine Cove family camp, the college-aged camp counselors jumping and chanting, “You’re here! You’ve made it! That’s awesome!” The energy, community and deep love for the Lord that I experience at camp each summer has given me a glimpse into what being welcomed into eternity might be like. 

Camp felt different this year because once the week was over, I knew I would never experience Pine Cove as a camper again. I took it all in with fresh eyes as if I were there for the first time again, determined not to forget a single moment. My eight years at Pine Cove have been pivotal in my faith journey and shaping me into the woman of God I’m striving to be. 

Three simple lessons stand out from my years as a camper: 

1. Value being present over being perfect. My identity and worth should not be in trying to achieve perfection and productivity. God will never see me as undeserving, He sees me as redeemed. Because of this, I want to practice being present with Him and with others in giving them my full attention. 
2. Loving God changes the way I love others. The joy the counselors at Pine Cove have exhibited as they serve and love people all summer is only possible because of the way they love and pursue God. The response one counselor gave when asked about his favorite part of working at camp continues to be etched in my mind. He said he loves feeling totally and completely spent at the end of each week with not a single bit of energy left, because this means he knows he used everything God gave him to serve others. I want to love people and serve people this way, too. 
3. Cheering others on is a reflection of Jesus’ character and a picture of heaven. The camp welcome, the compliments, the intentionality, the servant-hearted focus, the end-of-week send off—these camp examples remind me how I can be a better picture of Jesus to others in my everyday life. When I see something admirable in someone else, I should tell them. I want to be a cheerleader for others and share the light of Jesus. 

As I left camp this year, I left with a full heart, looking forward to reflecting on that week for a long time. When my family started down the long gravel drive out of camp one last time, the opening day chant echoed in my mind. “You’re here! You’ve made it! That’s awesome!” Thinking of my brothers and sisters in Christ cheering me on here on earth—and also as I enter into eternal life—makes me forever grateful for the memories I have from my time at Pine Cove, for their ministry, and for giving me a glimpse of heaven. 

To borrow that line from the movie, ‘Is this heaven?’ 

‘No, it’s Pine Cove.’