A little taste of heaven

This might be hyperbolic (no, it definitely is), but I wouldn’t be surprised if heaven wasn’t a little like the Australian Conference for Lutheran Education (ACLE) in Brisbane this year.

Okay, okay, I’ll explain the slight heresy.

When I signed up for ACLE, my first inclination was to see which speakers would be presenting. I was pleased by the list. It would be nice to hear a few prophets, an evangelist, and a lawgiver or two in the mix. I noticed that worship was on every day – nice. I saw that the food was going to be exceptional at the Brisbane Conference and Exhibition Centre.

And the Lord saw that it was all very good.

But what I was most excited about was catching up with people I hadn’t seen for years. You know that feeling – restless anticipation; nervous excitement, really – when you read the list of people in attendance (hopefully like the names in the Book of Life) and think, ‘I can’t wait to hear their stories! Their laughter!’ And more than anything, just to see their faces and receive the embrace of long-ago family and friends from Lutheran education.

Then it happened. From across the distance, I saw him. Darron.

At a previous school, he served in various roles, curriculum, pastoral care, football – and we got along famously. When I left that school, I missed that connection: the sound of his voice, his laughter, the wide smile that made people feel like a million bucks.

Then there he was at ACLE – same voice, same laughter, same smile, and I felt like a billion dollars. As we narrowed the gap, he gave me a hug, and just like that, it was as if no time had separated us. He told me of his new role, his new perspective, and used the words I had always hoped for: ‘I guess God had a different purpose for me than I ever expected.’

Do you see why this ACLE was something like I hope heaven will be?

Across the three days of the conference, that same scenario played out time and time again. As the schools connected, it was obvious that we are all part of the same body – Lutheran education – and that we are all connected by something very tangible. A faith in Jesus, a faith in the God who has allowed the Communion of Saints to exist across time and space, a faith in the hopeful future of Lutheran education that offers the faithfulness of God’s love to all they encounter.

ACLE 2025 – it was heavenly.

Reid Matthias serves as College Pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College at Tallebudgera in Queensland and is a member of the Board of Directors for Lutheran Education Australia.

Read more about ACLE at www.lca.org.au/inspired-and-free-to-flourish-lutheran-educators-gather