Heaven isn’t just a destination. It is a longing, a hope for the future. When we long for heaven, long to be in the presence of God, our heart, soul mind, and strength are properly oriented toward God. We can’t get enough of Jesus in our life, so we abide in Him, seek Him in our life. We desire His presence in our life and in the lives of others we know and meet each day. We see the way Jesus sees people, releasing our judgment and petty disagreements, and seeing they need Jesus in their life as much as we do.
Seeing heaven as a longing is to not being disillusioned at the the sin in this world, but rather to see that we will never be made whole while in this world. It is to recognize this world will not satisfy us; it will fail us and never fulfill us. When we see that heaven—that Jesus can only make us whole—we hunger to abide in him. We get a glimpse of what it is like to be in the presence of God. We sample the peace of Christ and know nothing else compares. Heaven becomes a longing.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. – John 15:4-5, NASB
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I just started reading a book, “The Awe of God,” written by John Bevere on this very topic, which he refers to as having “holy fear” (reverence) for Christ–and when we grasp the concept as much as humanly possible, the intimacy we crave with Christ grows… Your post and His book…clearly the Lord is tapping on my shoulder, trying to get my attention. Thank you!
When I keep hearing the same message, I take note. Thank you for mentioning the book. It sounds like a good one. I am reading First Love by Dana Candler. Another good book about longing for more of Jesus. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
Amen! Wishing you blessings! Thank you for sharing this uplifting meditation!
Praise God! Blessings.