How much of our day do we think about heaven?
Recently, I think about heaven often. I have been reading through Revelation 21 when the new heaven and the new earth will come.
Revelation 21:1-4:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Thoughts start flowing into my mind – what will it be like to see Jesus face to face? What will it be like to live outside of time and in eternity?
When I have an eternal perspective, my desires and visions for this temporary life we live on earth drastically changes. The mission of building God’s kingdom resides in the forefront of my mind, and all momentary desires seem less desiring and fulfilling.
I have come to the realization in the past 9 months that nothing on this earth will ever fully satisfy. My home was never meant to be here; heaven is the home that my soul has been longing to go to.
Now that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy anything in this physical world. Of course I do. I love my family and friends dearly. God’s creation astounds me daily. I love coffee from Starbucks, almond butter, and frozen yogurt. Soccer is a game I love that transcends borders and language barriers. Music has a beautiful way of making sense of my emotions and thoughts when I seem to lack them. Academics ignite my love for learning and books give me a desire to gain wisdom, knowledge, and fuel my imagination.
But all of these things one day will pass away. Everything in this world is temporary, including our physical bodies.
While I am here on earth, I do want to make the best use of the time. The Lord wants me to use the abilities and talents he has given me to build the kingdom of God. Even though our lives our short, there is still purpose for us to be on earth. It won’t always look perfect by any means. But God uses imperfect people just like me and you to build his kingdom. We just have to have the courage to follow him no matter what the cost.
As the months have gone by, The Lord has been teaching me to fix my eyes on the unseen instead of the things that are seen. But how hard that can be at times? Because we as humans put so much of our trust and security in the things that we can visually see. But I promise you that when we seek first the kingdom of God, He will reveal himself to us, and he will give us eyes to see the unseen.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
