Colossians 3:1-2 “…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV)
Thinking about and teaching on the reality of Heaven last month, was an amazing blessing to me. It reminded me of a flight I had out of Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. a few years ago. The flight was full and the gate agent asked if anyone was willing to take a “bump” because they were overbooked. My friend and I had nothing better to do, so we volunteered. We got hotel and meal vouchers, were booked for the next day’s flight and were on our way.
The next day, as we boarded the new Boeing 777, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we had been upgraded to First Class! We were offered champagne as we were escorted to our new, leather (reclining) seats with private television sets. We ate salmon on real china with real silverware. We were treated like royalty. I almost felt bad for the “coach” passengers eating their peanuts and drinking their one cup of soda. Almost.
Heaven is going to be like an unbelievable “upgrade” to First Class from Coach! The idea of leaving this earth to go to a place called Paradise, has given me a new perspective on what I have to look forward to. I’m excited about Heaven, not just because of what it will contain, but because of what will be missing: tears, pain, loss, death, sickness! I say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
How about you? Are you looking forward to Heaven? Are you excited about the New Heaven and New Earth, about spending time with Jesus and loved ones who are now waiting for you? Have you caught yourself daydreaming about snowboarding, climbing, sailing, feasting or exploring our eternal home? I know I have.
Do we have a glorious future, no matter how “sick” things get on earth? Absolutely!
Looking up with you,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor