In the past, I remember talking with friends about the day we would die and be able to witness what eternity, more specifically heaven, will be like. So much joy would overwhelm us as our minds were flooded with fragmented pieces of scriptures about Heaven. We couldn’t get enough of the thought of standing before God – the Creator of the beautiful universe; He who is worshiped by angels. I can’t imagine what it will be like to not only stand before GOD and hear Him say, “Well done my faithful servant,” but also to enter into His Kingdom. One thing is for certain, it will be like nothing our carnal minds have ever dreamed. On that day, I won’t have to worry about sinning anymore! No more working! No more bills to pay! No more sin!! No more mistakes! No more sickness! No more hospital visits! No more funerals! I’ll no longer have to witness or find myself wrapped in the darkness that reigns in this broken and sin-stained world. On that day all the pain and suffering will cease, and the true meaning of perfection will be in and all around us. We will be so filled with all that God is that for the rest of eternity we will scream “Holy! Holy! Holy!”

Believer, we know that everything listed above is undeniably amazing; but lately, God has placed on my heart a truth that I am still trying to grasp as I write this. I believe it goes hand and hand with the scripture written by the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:23-24 where he says: 

“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

What Paul is saying here is, I desire to be with God in Heaven, but I know it is more important that I continue to be there for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are still on earth. Though in context Paul was speaking to the Church in Philippi, I believe His feeling of being torn between the desire to be in Heaven with God and the importance of being here on earth is the very mindset that has gripped my heart.

Contrary to what is written above about the day we as believers will die, stand before our King, and enter into Heaven, lately I’ve thought about the people and supernatural work that we will leave behind. I think about my parents, some of my cousins, aunts, and uncles who still have yet to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Friends who I see searching for identity and satisfaction by following the ways of sinful people and the world. “More time” is what my heart cries out when the thought of death comes to mind nowadays. We know the effects that the Gospel has on the heart of man. I know and believe in the power of God to save anyone He pleases-No matter how broken or hardened we consider him or her to be.

Scripture is clear that even though He could have the rocks cry out, we as the body are called to be the vessels that God uses to make other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). In making disciples, God commands us to teach people about the Gospel which, when accompanied by the Holy Spirit, is the work unto salvation, (Romans 1:16). We have the honor of partaking in that supernatural work of bringing people from death to life! It is us who, because of Christ and Christ alone, can free them from the chains of sin that ultimately would have led them to spend eternity in Hell. Flames that will never cease. A fate that the enemy would gladly take pleasure in, seeing as he is known to be like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.

For those who have accepted the call to make disciples I know it is not easy. I pray that in reading this you feel encouraged to keep your focus on God and His power to save. Stay constant in your prayer and in your reading of His word. We have to continue to be dependent on Him as we are poured out for others.

With that being said, I challenge us all to think about those around us a little more. Pray a little harder. Spend a little more time. Love a little crazier because one day, either us or them will no longer be on this earth, and no one knows when that day will come.

 

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

but with humility of mind regard one another

as more important than yourselves;

do not merely look out for your own

personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

–Philippians 2:3-4