Knocking on Heaven's Door

 

"Earth has no sorrow that heaven

cannot heal." ~ Troy Ramey, artist

My mom knocked on heaven's door this week, and was let in.  She had lived 94 years on this earth- through the Great Depression, tragedy, and a host of health issues- but plodded on with feistiness and a sense of humor.

My mourning wasn't the only woe being experienced this week- miscarriages, mental illness, broken family relationships, fear of uncertainty - all woes this broken world has handed out to people I love.  And the prince of this world loves to throw them at us relentlessly.  Lord, how do we endure? How do we fight back the tendency to grow tired of it and let it rob us of our  joy?

We ask God to give us the fruit of self-control and guard our minds.  

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is

excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Phil 4:8

So what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy?  

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things

above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on

things above, not on earthly things."  Col 3:1-2

We believe every one of Jesus' words, and He said in John 14:4-6 that we would know the way to the place where He was going, and that He was the only way to get there.  We cannot look to things, possessions, accomplishments, spouses, children, occupations and other earthly things to be our Savior; they will always disappoint.  We can only look to Him for purpose in this life and after this life.  

So if I can encourage you today, start reading God's Word about our next home in heaven.  There's also a great book from Dr. David Jeremiah called "The Promise of Heaven".  It is not a place where we will sit on a cloud all day being bored.  God, in all His creativity, originality, riches, grace, kindness and mercy has prepared a place for us with eternal pleasures (Ps 16:11) and no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Rev 21:4).

Imagine laying our sorrows at Jesus' feet, and let our minds rest in the assurance that He is returning soon and taking us to a home that is so incredible that our minds can't even comprehend it.

Lord, we knock on Your door in heaven, and hope that You open it soon. 

✙ Heavenly Father, we seek You now and You promise we will find You.  We need Your assurance, Your guidance, Your joy - sometimes this world tries to rob us of that.  Fill our hearts and minds with things not of this world; create in each of us a bigger heart for Your home, and let it affect us here on earth for Your glory.  Amen.