One of the most common questions children ask about angels is, “Will I become an angel when I go to heaven?”
The answer, I’m sorry to say, is no.
An angel is an entity distinct from human beings. Hebrews 1:7 reads, “In speaking of the angels (God) says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” In contrast, when we arrive in heaven, we won’t shed our humanity to become something else. We’ll shed our sinfulness and become more gloriously human than ever. More like Jesus. Woo hoo!
So there you go.
But is there no hope for halos, then? No back door to become an angel?
The answer, I’m happy to say, is yes. There is a back door.
Huh?
The word angel, quite simply, means messenger. Biblically speaking, an angel is a messenger of God. In fact, there are places in the New Testament where the translation into English could go either way—angel, messenger.
Which means—how cool is this—that you’ve seen angels. Spoken with them. You may even know a few. When someone speaks on behalf of God into your life, you’ve received a message through an angel. When someone reaches out to comfort or encourage you with a hug or a squeeze, you’ve been… wait for it… touched by an angel.
It also means you can get your own wings on. Right now.
All it takes is a prayer, spoken with faith from the heart. Something like this:
Lord Jesus, I want to be one of your choice messengers, one of your angels. I want my heart and spirit to be enflamed with you, so that I can speak your heart and truth into people’s lives. I want to be your hands and feet. I’m here, I’m willing, and ready. Let’s rock!
This Christmas, I dare you… to get your wings on.
Someone out there is counting on it.
Angel school starts now.
Are you in? Comment your own angel prayer below.