The older I get, the more I think I'm turning into my grandmother. And that's not a bad thing.
My grandmother was genuinely excited about going to be with Jesus in heaven. All throughout my childhood, she would regularly (and excitedly) say, “Jeremy, today could be the day! Today could be the day that Jesus comes back for us.”
As a young boy, I was honestly more excited about my friends upcoming birthday party. If Jesus wouldn't mind holding off a few more days, that would be preferable.... But after a few more trips around the sun, I'm now beginning to see that my grandmother was really on to something.
I Corinthians 2:9: However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,and what no human mind has conceived”the things God has prepared for those who love him (NIV)
Life can be complex. Filled with both moments of extreme challenge and unbridled joy, our Lme here on earth is an incredible journey of ups and downs. Jesus himself promised that "In this life, you will have trouble. But take heart...." (John 16:33). Paul gave praise to the "God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles..." (II Corinthians 1:3-4) as Paul went on to talk about all of the trials he went through in his Lme here on earth.
Life can be complex.
But this life is not permanent. Psalm 39 tells us that our Lme here on earth "... is but a breath."
I recently went out of town for a few days and things were OK but.... I was away from my loved ones, sleeping in a strange place, living out of a bag, etc. The broken hot water heater (COLD showers) was the final detail that allowed me to shrug my shoulders and say, “It's only for a few days.” Acknowledging that things weren't ideal but knowing that the trip would soon be over enabled me to gain perspecLve. “I can put up with anything for a few days...” was my thought. I'll be home soon.
The illustraLon was powerful for me. If the reality of an eternity in heaven is true (and I believe it is), then our short Lme here on earth is quickly put into perspecLve with the promise of
heaven with Jesus. This earthly existence will feel like a few short days in comparison with our never-ending existence in our forever home. We'll be home soon.
We can easily get wrapped up with earthly challenges and distracLons. Instead of focusing on those passing things, I want to think more about the reality of heaven. I want to live in light of my eternal home.
In John 14:2, Jesus said:
My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (NIV)
Allow me to challenge us today to not make light of our very real and present earthly struggles but rather live in light of an eternity with Jesus. An eternal home where we are promised "every tear is wiped away" (RevelaLon 21:4), where there is joy unspeakable. Knowing that we have an incredible future FOREVER in heaven with Jesus helps put things in perspecLve today.
Church, let's be encouraged today as we experience both earthly joy and sorrow. We have an incredible eternity awaiLng us that far outweighs anything we can experience during our Lme on earth. Let's ask God to help us remember the great promise of heaven that awaits the followers of Jesus.
Written and based on the song Heaven Enough by Jeremy Good. Follow along with lyric video here.
