“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14
You were not meant to live here forever. The home you have made your own, just the way you like it is not forever. This is not all there is! And that is really a good thing; because surely, you and I don’t want to live in a sin filled, imperfect place forever. You want to live in a perfect place that was made just for you, as a member of God’s family.
God’s plan for eternity is such an amazing expression of his love. The Bible tells us that God created the entire universe because He wanted a family that would love Him and live with Him forever. I recall back in the day while teaching Midweek to 7-8 grade youth that some were not thrilled about going to Heaven; if there weren’t some of the ‘fun things’ from this fallen world waiting for them in their new mansion, then they weren’t inclined to go there. In their minds, Heaven would be a step below what they now have, living in this fallen world.
The three girls in the attached photo are excited about their home waiting in Heaven. Their earthly shelter has a dirt floor, no utilities and the danger of bullets whizzing through their neighborhood. In their minds, Heaven will be so much better…Jesus will be there.
I read an article yesterday in the Washington Post about Haiti. The Haitian Government was supposed to commence school in the country tomorrow. I’m not sure what has changed from last month, when it was scheduled to commence, that makes it any better to start tomorrow. There was one short paragraph that sums up the current situation in Haiti today and what it is like for it’s citizens. “You are in a lawless country. Nobody is in charge. It’s the gang that’s in charge,” said Cécile Accilien, vice president of the nonprofit Haitian Studies Association. “People cannot go get clean water because they are barricaded by the gang. People have died because they can’t get to the hospital.” Today there isn’t much Hope. Our fallen world needs Jesus.
God’s family will be in Heaven; all colors, all sizes, male and female, from here and there. There’s a word for God’s family: church. The only thing in this fallen world that’s going to last is the church; the people who have chosen to be part of God’s family in faith and obedience.
Because you were made to last forever, you can choose to spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell. Not sure if there will be golf, pickleball, swimming pools, theme parks or movie theaters in Heaven…Jesus will be there. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you accept your inheritance as God’s child and your forever home in heaven. That inheritance can never be taken away from you! It is God’s amazing gift to you. It changes not just where you spend eternity but how you live life now. Once you become part of God’s family, there’s a whole lot more to life than just the here and now. You realize that this world really is not your home. You’re just passing through!
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay