Heaven

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

I have been thinking more about Heaven lately, and realizing how the importance of Heaven isn't emphasized today in the Church as much as in the past. This passage from Philippians 3 (the Message) sums up what our focus is to be as a Christian. I will let you read it and let God examine our lives as we do. But I encourage you to think about Heaven, and how that is THE Goal, we are WAITING for Jesus to return! Are we living it? It is easy to be focus in the right here and now, but when we focus on eternity, if we are going to Heaven and how many we will bring with us, it gives us a purpose, and more of an understanding of God's work in our lives. Run for the Goal.