Heaven Bound

So this blog is inspired by two songs: Joyful Noise by Flame and O For that Day (the quality isnt great on the link) by Enfield.

Both songs speak of heaven and the future that lays in store for those who are truly Christians. These songs and thoughts of heaven have been on my thoughts recently especially in light of the missions trip that I just went on with the high school group from Compass Bible Church. During the trip the students were challenged to view people as souls instead of how the world sees people. This comes from 2 Corinthians 5:16 where Paul says"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view."

As I read this verse, and most of 2 Corinthians 5, which is very future focused(name of my blog :) I began to meditate more on the eternal reward that lays in store and there are a few thoughts that came to mind, so here they are:


First of all, It made me greatly desire to be in heaven with my Lord and Savior. As 2 Corinthians 5:2 says, "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" I looked up the Greek word for longing and it is the same word that is used in Philippians 1:8 where Paul says that he is longing with the innermost part of his being. MacArthur noted that this word of longing is the strongest Greek word used to express compassionate desire and love. I was convicted by the fact that my longing and desire to be in heaven with my God and Father pales in comparison to Pauls. I need to yearn for heaven with the innermost part of my being and be continually praying for Christ's return so that I may be in His presence praising His name. Instead I desire things of this earth, even spiritual things, when in reality I should be desiring that God's name will be praised and glorified and that day will come with Christ's return. So I am praying that God will work in my life and keep me focused on heaven and what lays in store so that I may be resolved to live more radically for Him!

Secondly, thoughts of heaven and Christ's return also instilled fear into me. I can not speak for my readers, which is probably only my roommate and parents, but if I have a final tomorrow, all I would be doing tonight and right now would be studying as hard as I possibly can. In fact I would probably only sleep 4 to 5 hours, if that, because I would want to be prepared as I possibly can. Why is that? Because tomorrow is the day of reckoning, where I am called to see how much I have learned and what I have done with the information given me and much of my grade depends on my performance. In a similar manner, if I am supposed to live as if Christ's return will come as a thief in the night, 1 Thess 5, then why am I not more active in my Christian living. Should I not spend all my free time spreading the Gospel, shouting it from street corners hoping to save souls from the coming condemnation. And even in how I live my own life, if Christ was going to return tomorrow, would I spend so much time worrying about a career or my future or instead focus on living each moment completely for Christ? I have been challenged to live each moment as if the day of reckoning is coming tomorrow for I will be held accountable for all that Christ has given me, Mtthw 25:15-28, and I just like I want to be prepared for my final exam, all the more do I want to be prepared for the day I meet my perfect and holy God.

My third and final thought deals with the awesome majesty of God. While I could point to numerous passages that tell of the amazing indescribable splendor of our creator I will simply tell of how important for it has been for me to DAILY meditate on the attributes of God. I find that when I truly understand my position before God and I am in awe of who He is and His nature I can live more effectively and battle sin more ferociously as opposed to the days when I do not focus on who God is. I pray that God may grant everyone a greater knowledge and understanding of who He is so that we may humble ourselves before Him and be in awe of His might!

In conclusion, I am eternally thankful for the gift of salvation that has been given to me and I pray that I will yearn for the day of Christ's return along with living in a manner that reflects the imminence of His second coming. The purpose being that my heart will be more in love with God and His Son so that I may better glorify His name and proclaim His truths across the world!