Day #5: Friday, January 8th

Heaven on Your Mind

Scripture References: 
2 Cor. 5:1, Phil 3:7, 1 Cor. 2:9

Devotional

One of the greatest motivators to living a life of purpose is remembering that your life here on earth is just the dress rehearsal for the real production.  Wrap your head around this thought that you will spend far more time on the other side of death than you will here.  Thinking about what lies ahead gives understanding and purpose.

“He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  (Eccl. 3:11 NLT)

God designed you, in His image, to live for eternity and He wired you to think that way.  Although your physical heart will stop beating one day, that will not be the end of you.  Paul said, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

​Your relationship to God on earth will determine your relationship to him in eternity.  When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently.  You will start living in light of eternity.  And not only that, but the problems that seemed to bother you yesterday will appear insignificant as you view your life through the filter of eternity.  Your values will change and you will place a higher priority on relationships and character. 

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." (Phil. 3:7)

As you begin 2021, beware of short-term thinking.  To make the most of your life, you must keep the vision of eternity continually in your mind and the value of it in your heart.  Today is the visible top of the iceberg.  Eternity is all the rest you don’t see underneath the surface. 

Paul inspired us with these words:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor. 2:9)

​God has purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn’t end here.  His plan will go on well beyond your lifetime on earth.  Measured against eternity, our time on earth is just a blink of an eye, but the consequences of it will last forever.  Matthew Henry said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.”  Living today with heaven on your mind puts you in a mindset that will infuse your life with purpose and life.

Prayer

“Lord, as I consider my life today, I see it through the lens of eternity.
My position in this life is not as important as the sensitivity of my heart towards You.
I will keep the vision of a life with You continually before me.
May I live today with You on my mind.
May I walk this temporary life with heaven always on my mind.
In Jesus’ Name.”