May 27, 2013

  • Balancing Heaven and Here

    Sometimes it is hard to find the balance, isn't it? And, balance in everything is so important.

    I recently lost a dear, old friend, and I am struggling with my grief. But, at the same time, I am rejoicing in hope because I know she is with her Lord and King. Heaven is hers! She is singing and worshiping and experiencing all of Heaven! Knowing so many who are already there makes it more real to me than ever.

    It's at times like this I am reminded that this world is not my home. My home is Heaven. I will spend eternity there in His presence! It is amazing to think about. It is so much easier to think about the day to day things of life here on Earth. There are responsibilities and relationships to maintain. There are always things that need doing. Each day has much that must be taken care of. And that isn't bad. No, the problem comes when we see it as all there is. All that we see around us is temporary. Once our purpose here is fulfilled, God will bring us home. We need to watch that all this "stuff" doesn't take up all our time and heart. We need to keep it in the proper place. We need to focus on God's will for us.

    (Luke 12:16-21 NLT)  Then He told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.
    And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"'  "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

    We are just passing through this life. While we are here, we are asked by our King to take care of His world until He returns. We need to be mindful of what we do. We need to remember we are not working to build our own kingdom, but His.

    (1Jn 2:15-17 MSG)  Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

    I want to know that I have done what God intended for me to do. I want to know that I have left something real and eternal when I leave here. I want to live in the balance of the here and now and my glorious future in eternity. Because THINGS are not my prize, even though I can enjoy them. Comfort is not my goal, even though it is nice to be comfortable. Fame and fortune do not matter. I want to please my Heavenly Father. I want to live a life that honors Him and points others to Him. So, while there is nothing wrong at all with enjoying this world, we must remember that there is more. SO MUCH MORE than what we see every day.

    (2Cor. 4:18 NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Comments (7)

  • I love the Bible verses that remind us to "fix" our eyes or thoughts on God and His ways - because daily life surely does have a way of getting our attention and sometimes taking our thoughts away from God and His plan.

  • As you said, balance is important.  God is perfectly balanced, and we, well, we are unbalanced.  A few people are "so heavenly minded they're no earthly good."  However most of us lean the other way......too earthly minded.  Trusting God to remind me of Himself and heavenly things today.

  • eternal is a long long time

  • Thanks, Pastor Mae---right on for those of us in the USA--we have so many distractions.  I try to start my day with Bible reading and a short prayer. I try to be God conscious during the day, but there are so many things and activities from which to choose---some seem necessary, but many are optional.

    frank

  • Good thoughts to keep in mind, Mae. I find that since Dad went Home, my thoughts are more often there. Also with the craziness in our country -- political sins, murders, nasty stuff on t.v. and f.b. and all around us, I find myself often humming the song: "This World Is Not My Own; I'm Just-a Passin' Thru."  Thanks for your prayers and hugs! Coming your way, too.

  • Traveling through the beautiful country has given me time to reflect on this world and our life in it. So true that we are transient and need to look with spirit eyes and not just see the physical world but to see the eternal one...

  • Sometimes I think I am stuck somewhere between heaven and earth. I don't really feel part of this world, nor do I feel like I am ready for the next either. It is like standing with one foot in the water and one foot on the shore. Strange yet wonderful at the same time.

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