Tents, overcoats, and trade-ins

So, we talked about tents. 
Now, let's move on to overcoats! (Grin)

Let's refresh our memory of our focus passage from Paul. If you have time, turn to II Corinthians but if not, let's zero in on these verses:

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 

Now, there are a lot of things we DON'T know about the future, but one thing is for certain, Paul says. We will NOT have to live in tents forever.

Someday, this "tent" body will be replaced by a building made by God's hands. And I don't know about you, but I'd like to learn more about this resurrection body . . . 

When Paul says "longing to be clothed," the scholars tell us that he used an unusual Greek verb. It means something like "to be clothed upon." It has the idea or the mental picture of a man putting on an overcoat, they say. Literally a coat put over (or upon) a body.

When I read that in the commentaries, I could picture Paul, sitting and writing (or dictating his letter) and smiling to himself. I think he was thinking about "wow, I can't wait for the day when my Lord returns. I'm going to put on my new resurrection body just like a man slips on a toga over his tunic." Or in today's vernacular, like a man or a woman slips on an overcoat. 

No more groaning.

We may groan because we are mourning choices we have made. We groan because we dislike our job. Because we have unfulfilled dreams. Because our children are making poor choices. Because other people disappoint us. Because our spouses hurt us. 

We groan because this is a fallen, broken down, messed up world. Because we are in pain. Because we are looking for a better day, a better place, a happier time.

That world will have . . . 

No cancer.

No abuse.

No insults.

No greed.

No hatred.

No night.

No death.

If there is one thing that has touched more hearts during the Wuhan virus pandemic, I believe it's that there have been so many people who have died alone.

That's probably one of the greatest fears that people have, when they consider death. Death is sad enough - but to die with no one else there to comfort you? How blessed we are if we are able to die with our loved ones by our side. 

Paul says that when we die, we will not die alone. We will be with Jesus forever. If we should live until Christ returns to this earth, we will receive our resurrection body then. Either way, we have a hope that death and thoughts of death can not shake.

This is the message of this passage, and the message of Christ's cross. 

What about believers who die before Jesus returns? I think the clearest, easiest-to-understand thing we can say is that they are "with the Lord." In heaven.

Paul says:

5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 

We don't have to worry about our loved ones who died in Christ. We don't have to worry if we die before He returns. They passed (and we will pass) into the presence of Jesus Himself. That may be all we can know for certain -- but that's enough! 

Paul states things clearly in I Thessalonians:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (I Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Paul says the dead in Christ will rise first when Jesus returns. Then those who are still alive here on earth and believe on Him. I believe with all my heart that it's enough (in fact, it's more than enough!) to know that they are "with the Lord" and will be with Him forever. And that if I'm still alive when He returns, I will join them all with Jesus.

Dear reader, doesn't that stir your heart? My eyes are misty as I think on these things. But not from sadness -- I'm so very happy! 

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:15-18)

I'm in a tent now.

But I know there's an overcoat in my future!

More when we finish, tomorrow . . . . 

I have seen Him!

 

It's so easy to slip into complacency.

It's so easy to take Christ's sacrifice on the cross for granted.

I don't know who wrote these words, but think on this:

When our faith
stands at the grave,
grieving
for a stone that's rolled away,
forgive us.

When our faith
is short of
understanding
though the truth is there to see,
forgive us.

When our faith,
beset by doubt, sees
no further
than an empty tomb today,
forgive us.

Bring to mind
the cry of Mary,
‘I have seen the Lord!'
and grant us faith to believe!

Let's spend some time in prayer today . . . let's thank Him for the indescribable gift He gave. Let's ask Him to help us spread the gospel in words and actions.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:11-18)

Father, grant me the faith to see You in the garden, and the courage to run and tell. Be with me each day as I try to be more like You.

Let's talk tents, overcoats, and trade-ins

 

Easter is almost here!

For the little ones, that means some yummy chocolate bunnies and candy, no? For believers, it means a time of focus on Christ's mission. His purpose.

His love.

His death.

His resurrection.

Our salvation.

For some people, thinking of death is to be avoided at all costs. 

But it's not that hard for Christians. Because it's not the end of our story! So, as we prepare for Easter, let's talk about tents, and overcoats, and trade-ins, ok? (Grin) You'll see what I mean . . . 

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (II Corinthians 5:1-5)

So, instead of the usual passage from the gospels, I wanted to focus on Paul's words here in II Corinthians. This passage has a reputation for being difficult. But there's also a sweet simplicity to it that is very appealing. Even if we don't understand every word, the overall impression is that of hope. Paul tells us that we really have NOTHING to fear. No matter how we die, or when, or why . . .  we have a promise from God. 

It's. Not. The. End.

See, I even love the way that Paul begins this discussion: "now we know." It's a certainty, the concept that he is talking about. It's not conjecture. It's not guesswork. And it's not something we have to think about in terms of the future, either. NOW we know. 

The resurrection that Paul wants us to consider is an absolute certainty. 

There are not too many things in this life that are that certain!

Death is, after all, a mystery in that we have no clue when it will come our way. God knows. But we don't. And that is what makes some people afraid, while others decide it's a grand adventure. We know how old we are right now; we don't know how long we will live.  Analysts can compile huge lists and charts and actuarial calculations; they can compute means and averages. But how long we will still be breathing is a mystery - and each and every breath we take is a gift from God!

And as far as what happens after we die, the scientists have nothing to tell us. The philosophers can't say for sure. The analysts and data crunchers just can't say.

The second thing that Paul says is for sure is that we live in a tent.

Say what?

I'm not much of a tent person, myself. If I'm going to the woods or the mountains, it's to hike and come back. Give me a comfy bed inside with no "skeeters" as grandma used to say. Don't get me wrong - I'm crazy about the outdoors, and I'm happiest there. I'm in love with every birdie and animal, and I adore just looking about me at God's wonders. When I get to the top of the mountain, I thank Him for the strength He gave me to reach the peak, and then I enjoy looking at all He created. But go back to a campground (or my own pasture, for that matter) and sleep in a tent? 

Naah.

Tents can wear out and get holes. The zips can fail. The water can come in by drops or by rivulets. They are drafty and either too cold or too hot. (I know, you think I'm a wimp, now.)

But I wanted to make an analogy: our bodies are like tents, and this is what Paul is pointing to. Our bodies wear out and sag. Our heart pumps a little softer and our arteries sometimes have blockages. Gravity is not our friend - pulls everything down! Our hair gets thin, our back gets achy, and we bulge where we didn't before. We may get up in the morning feeling strong, but a microbe can knock us off our feet. 

We start to rely more on Vitamin C and OsteoBiFlex; we go to the gym and try to increase our strength and stamina. We make certain we eat what we should in the amounts that are ideal. 

ALL of this is good. But it won't make us live forever! 

But that's OK.

It's part of God's plan.

Look back at verse one . . . someday we will replace this tent with an actual building. Tents are temporary, no? They are not meant to last forever. A building is strong. It's built on a foundation. It's not meant to be moved about.  Someday we will give up our tents and replace them with buildings made by God Himself. 

What does this tell us?

Death is not the end.

It's not disappearing. It's not vaporizing. It's not that we are gone.

Death is a trade in.

We will trade in our battered and broken bodies for new bodies.

Paul even tells us about those bodies: they are from God, not made with human hands. They are eternal.

And this is for real.

For sure.

For certain.

More tomorrow . . . . .

Aging beautifully

 

The last study on our aging gracefully series is this one: aging beautifully. That doesn't necessarily mean that we are going to pursue face lifts and other procedures, though some people do. I'm talking more about making sure that we look, sound, smell, well . . . . appealing. That we don't "turn people off."

Again, think what you may about this, but I have actually written myself some notes. I want to remember what I have learned over the years of caring for elderly relatives. At this point in our lives, you and I may look aghast at someone tenderly helping their loved one out of the car at the doctor's office or a restaurant, and realizing that they were either too rushed (or the elder resisted their efforts) to make certain that they were clean and carefully clothed. But it happens. Poor hygiene can result in minor body odor. Poor vision can result in stained clothes. Poor sanitary care can result in sickness and infections.

It's not rocket science. As people age, they can become depressed. Their memory plays tricks on them, and they truly believe that they did bathe yesterday. Their senses become dull and they don't pick up on the smells that we do. It can even be a problem of fear - have you ever looked at your bathroom as a senior would? Nothing but cold and hard, slick, injury-causing surfaces! They could simply be scared of their range of motion or their balance in a bathroom that seems destined to hurt them.

In my "notes to self," I've included things like taking care of bathing and of cleaning clothes. Of making certain that my eyeglasses are the correct strength. Of investing in hearing aids and batteries. I want to make sure that grandkids, neighbors, or church members find me clean, smelling good, smiling, and able to engage!

And it doesn't have to break the bank. 

I've known elderly ladies who are Thrift Store Meisters. Mavens of Adorable Apparel. Seriously. They get to the thrift store and they can put together classic outfits that make them look like the cutest ladies on the block -- for pennies on the dollar. That leaves more money for the hearing aids, batteries, and more!

Are we in the position of helping an elderly believer with daily life? Recruit the doctor if they resist our efforts to make sure they are bathed and dressed nicely. Use a little trickery and set up a special lunch that they have to "primp" for, and that will get the job done for cleaning and clean clothes! Is the problem the fear factor? Check those second hand stores for bath aids and shower chairs, hand-held shower heads and other things that will make bathing safer and more enjoyable. I don't think it's a bad thing to say that clothes require some mending or a button - and then bring them back nice and fresh and clean! 

As we age gracefully in Christ, we should make sure that we always are ready to tell others of the joy that He gives us. In spite of the trials of aging, and in spite of the onset of physical changes, we can focus on what lies ahead. We can share that we love Him, and that He loves us:

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (I Peter 1:8)

We can tell them why we have hope:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (I Peter 3:15)

We can age graciously, gratefully, with a mission, with the choices that we have studied over the last couple of weeks. We won't be perfect. No way. But we have the Bible to use as our template for these choices. We can obey its words in our quest to find godly maturity and influence those who come after us. This season of life is so special; it's a precious time that we are given opportunities to pour into other believers' lives the blessings and the lessons that we have learned. We can urge them to make the right choices in their own lives:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (Hebrews 10:24)

I have posted before that I hope I do leave a legacy. I hope that someday people will say that they saw something of my Lord in me. That would make me happy. And I think that it would please the Father. I definitely think it will have been worth the investment, and worth the choices that I made in order to age gracefully!

How about you? It doesn't matter how old we are right now . . .  Are we making choices that count for eternity?

Aging gratefully

I SO believe in this one, too!

Haven't you seen elderly folks who simply cannot bring themselves to say thank you? They need assistance, but they seem to take it as an affront when someone helps? Their face gets kinda hard and set, and they grit their teeth or square their chin. The eyebrows knit together except for that deep line between them. They are SO NOT happy . . . .    Ohhhh, to tell you the truth, I actually made a list of things for "when I am old." 

Seriously.

I did it when this study began.

Here are a few of them:

      "When I'm old, I will accept help graciously. I will thank the person who wants to assist me."

      "When I'm old, I will ask for help when I need it. I will not allow my pride to interfere."

      "I will not deny nor make excuses for my needs."

      "When I need help, or when I receive help, I will thank God for the person helping."

      "When I receive help, I will smile cheerfully at that person, too."

Talllllllllll order, no?

I mean, come on, there are such things as pride (not a good thing, here) and a sense of wanting to continue our independence from needing other humans to do things for us (that's a good thing if we don't take it too far).

Ummm. Yep.

Kind of a thorny issue, wouldn't you say? Not as easy or as "cut and dried" as we thought when we began a few sentences ago. And definitely something that we need to have compassion for others about, and work on our own selves about, too.

Some of us may be in this situation with older relatives now. Some of us may be the "older relatives" in the equation. (Grin) Let's look at things practically and biblically . . . 

If, indeed, it is we who are the "elders," then it may be that our adult children and our friends tiptoe around our dignity and our independence, preferring to have us lead our own lives as long as possible. Many times their desire to maintain our safety morphs into a power struggle. It's important that we remember it is age, not our loved ones, who is the "enemy" of our independence. (Grin)

One way to look at this is that when we receive help from someone, it is empowering to both of us: the helper and the helped. The one who is assisting is our ally, and we need to realize that they are supporting our desire to live independently as long as we can. At the same time, our accepting graciously the help offered is important to allow us to conserve energy for different tasks that we have on our "to do" list, and also affords the helper a boost to their spirits -- it just makes ya feel good to help someone, and that's a blessing that we should allow, not remove!

Another important point to remember is that when we are grateful for the help, we are "giving," just as our helpers are. There is giving inherent in receiving - adult children and friends who take care of elders mature both personally and spiritually. We are gifting them with an opportunity to learn and to grow. Sure, it's true that we don't want to be a burden, but if we are grateful for assistance, our helpers can grow and feel pride in doing the right thing.

Lastly, as far as we oldsters are concerned, it's important to be a role model. What do I mean? Well, when our kiddos are little, or when kids in the neighborhood observed us in the challenges of the "prime" younger years of life, they learned how to handle obstacles and how to celebrate joys. When they become middle-aged, they observe us preparing and handling the situations at the end of life. If we as believers can display calm trust in God, and graciousness in receiving care, it provides them with role models for being grateful in the face of our physical ills and growing aches and pains. If we persist in being in denial, and refusing to smile and accept assistance, they will learn that old age is to be bitterly fought off, that there's no difference in an old unbeliever and an old believer. They will learn that being elderly is a matter of resentment, rather than a matter of embracing the next stage of what God has planned for us. If we age gracefully, it can make a positive difference in their old age.

On the flip side of the coin, perhaps it is we who are working to help older believers in our lives. Perhaps we are the ones trying to help, and we are the ones meeting with resistance. There are a few things that we can remember that will make things go more smoothly . . . .

First, the person we are trying to help is likely dealing with loss. It could be physical loss, or the loss of a spouse. It could be a mental loss, and that is so frightening to the person experiencing it. It is almost always a loss of independence. Accepting help may mean giving up privacy. It may mean an increase in living costs. 

Work with the elder to determine the level of help that is needed. Make sure that they understand what you are trying to do, and that it's love that motivates you. Pay close attention to their preferences, and don't give up! Relax. Listen.

Are we suggesting changes to daily life? Suggest also a trial run, to see how it goes. Make sure that we address care in positive terms. We can do our research and have information to calm fears about costs. If we do our best to understand their point of view, we can avoid fighting about minor issues. And definitely, if we are working to assist an older believer, make certain to pray with them and support them in their walk. Offer to read the Bible to them; focus on passages that they request. Pray alongside them and listen to their prayers, too. 

Are we aging gracefully?
Are we aging gratefully?

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. (Psalm 71:9)

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. (Psalm 92:14)

Aging gracefully - leaving an inheritance

We have talked before about the inheritance that we will leave for our children and our grandchildren, for our family members and our friends, when we make our trip to heaven.

I'm not talking about the money in the bank account that will be divided up. I'm not talking about the house or the other possessions.

But you knew that, right? (Grin)

What legacy will we leave? As we age gracefully, that's something to consider. 

Especially because if we don't act intentionally to pass on our legacy, a legacy that is consistent with OUR beliefs and OUR values, our world will pass along its own . . . . and that's not good, as we have seen in our studies.

A positive legacy (from someone who is aging gracefully, instead of someone who is kicking and screaming against the years!) is SO important. A negative legacy can be destructive for generations. The good news is, we can decide which one to pass on! We can work at it, and we can pray for God to bless our efforts. 

Let's dig in, OK?

Some of us struggle each day to overcome a legacy that was left to us; it's a legacy that harms our ability to conquer the obstacles in our lives, and sometimes it harms our ability to trust God to conquer for us. As elders in a family or in a community of neighbors, we can nourish a child's spirit and support their emotions and growth. Older Christians are uniquely positioned to provide a stable, safe environment for conversations. We can nurture the child's identity and create the safe space that will encourage discussions without fear. Most importantly, we can model Christ's unconditional love for them.

As believers, we can also help them learn the social skills that will help them enjoy stable relationships. As they mature, they are going to need to learn how to get along with family members, teachers, and friends. Then they will take those fledgling skills and apply them to coworkers and others, like bankers, mechanics, salespeople, and (ugh) their bosses! Home (or the home of a friend) is the best place to learn these skills. It's so necessary to be an example to them, and to verbally instruct them when needed, so that they can learn respect, courtesy, and engagement. They need to learn that a disagreement is not a fight. That a discussion is not "yelling at them." (Sound familiar? This world is full of young people who have that issue!) 

Respect must be taught beginning with themselves, then working out to others. They must be assigned tasks so that they not only gain confidence, but enjoy a feeling of accomplishment when tasks are completed. And don't forget, even if I said it before - unconditional love. The boundaries needed for good social skills are best learned in a loving relationship.

Lastly, that all-important spiritual legacy. Passing along a spiritual legacy means much more than just parking them in a pew or a chair every time the church doors are open, as my grandma used to say. That's important, yes. But the church cannot do it all . . . 

When children look at their parents and grandparents, or if they watch us across the fence as neighbors, we must model the love, forgiveness, and strength that God extends to us. Children will think of God in that way, because they will see that we care for them - and we tell them that He cares for them, too.  Have we told the children in our midst that Jesus loves them? That God is personal? That He will forgive? Do we provide examples for them of not using His name in vain, or in a casual way? Do we example for them daily Bible study? Do we pray in front of them? Do we take the time to tell them why things are right or wrong? Do we tell them of the wonderful things that He has done for us in the years that we have trusted Him?
All of these are important ways to build up our legacy, the inheritance that we will leave them.

We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4)

But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children— (Psalm 103:17)

We've been talking for a couple of weeks about choices that we can make in order to age gracefully. I think building a strong inheritance may just be one of the most important; it for sure can have long-lasting results!

Verses that inspire

 

As I'm sitting here today, and thunderstorms are rumbling around, the sky is dark. Clouds are scudding along and the leafless trees are bending before the harsh wind.

Everything is dreary.

Everything is dark.

Welllllllll, not everything!

I found two gems that I've seen before, but they meant a lot as I relied on the Spirit to cheer me today!

Check this out:

The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

Here is the second gem:

In your unfailing love you will lead
    the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
    to your holy dwelling. (Exodus 15:13)

I've mentioned before that we live at the base of a mountain in the foothills of the southland. We've hiked that mountain many times, and we know where the springs and waterfalls are located. Even in the driest of seasons, those springs keep pumping out water. Maybe there is less; maybe the waterfall is smaller, but the spring waters don't "fail."

Isn't that just like the living water that our Lord and Savior provides to us? It's such a "given" that He says we will never thirst. 

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

He promises to guide us.

He promises to satisfy all our needs.

He promises to strengthen our frames.

We will be like the springs that do not fail.

Why?

Because of His unfailing love.

All honor and glory to Him! Thank you, Lord!

Aging gracefully - set our hearts on things above

A phrase my grandma used to use was that a person "had his/her heart set on it." She meant that there was something that person wanted. A lot. They thought about it all the time. They loved to talk about it. Whatever it was, it commanded their thoughts a great deal of the time. They had their heart set on it. It could be an achievement they were working toward. It could be a goal they hoped to reach. It could be a daydream they hoped would come true. Whatever it was, it was important to them.

Let me change gears a bit. Bear with me.

Did you ever grow crystals as a child? Ever do a "kitchen science project"? Since our kiddos were homeschooled, we did a bunch of those. (Grin) Crystals are fun and really easy. First, you choose epsom salts, or borax, or maybe sugar or alum. Then you add water to a saucepan, and carefully follow the directions of how much of your chosen ingredient to put in the water. No matter which one you choose, you want to add what seems like a lot of it! Why? You want a super-saturated solution . . . that means that you are warming the water, and it allows you to force even more of the epsom salt or alum to dissolve. Next, you are going to allow the cooling water to evaporate (sometimes you will suspend a "seed" crystal in the solution to jump start the process. As the water cools and evaporates, crystals will form. In the kids' eyes, the water was no longer wanted. It's importance waned, and the much-desired crystals were growing.

Growing older can be compared to our crystal growing. We try to supersaturate ourselves with what's important when we are younger; we cram all of the Bible study and discipling and service as we can. But unfortunately, this world crams things into our lives, as well. Some important at the time, and some trivial. But in spite of the importance or insignificance, our lives do become super saturated with "stuff." 

Now, as we become older the less important things do seem to evaporate away. Some quickly, and some gradually. Beautiful "crystals" are revealed as the unimportant things are stripped away.  Especially as we become less able to drive about or be as active as we used to be, we begin to be more "heavenly minded" than "earthly minded."  We begin to focus much more on the eternal than on the temporary....

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. (II Corinthians 4:18)

To "set our hearts on things above" is to meditate on heaven where Christ is. What we call the "Lord's Prayer" was given to us by our Savior, and the very first line speaks of "Our Father, Who art in heaven." The focus of our lives should be our God, His Son, and His kingdom and will.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Setting our hearts on things above also means to meditate on our future eternal life. This is OK - this is not an escape from the problems we face "down here" but a means of coping with them!  What we face is nothing compared to what our Savior faced, but He endured and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Setting our hearts on things above means to think about the promises of Christ. What a blessing that our Bibles are filled with these promises. Christ has promised to give us freely His peace, joy, healing, and protection. He has assured us that He will never leave us. And He is not going to change His mind; these promises are ones He will keep.

God is not human, that he should lie,
    not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
    Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)

Remember when Abraham and Lot had to separate? Their flocks and herds had become so large that they needed to go in different directions, so that their animals would have enough water and grazing. They were both rich. Lot used the "first dibs" that Abraham graciously extended to him to choose the plain of Jordan - it was well watered from one end to the other. Lot was earthly minded. Abraham was heavenly minded - he trusted God for his portion and the direction that he should move in. 

Lot eventually lost everything he had. I guess that shows us that those who seek the things of this world are going to come up empty handed! Focusing our thoughts and our hearts on heavenly things leads to faith and blessings.

In the twelfth chapter of Luke's gospel, there's a famous parable of the "rich fool."  You remember him, right? Well, he wasn't foolish because his fields produced such a bumper crop. That just meant he was a good farmer. And he wasn't foolish because he was planning for the future and decided to build bigger barns. He was a fool because he didn't think of his bountiful harvest as a blessing from God. He believed that a full barn was the guarantee for a full, happy, and satisfying life. Today, people believe that a large house, a new model car, and fancy clothes will bring that happy and satisfying life. Those things won't last very long. In contrast, a heart overflowing with love toward God and kindness toward others will endure forever!

Planning for retirement is important. Neglecting to plan for life after death is disastrous. And like we discussed before, if we accumulate wealth only to enrich ourselves, and don't concern ourselves with helping others, we will enter heaven empty handed. Giving to God adds a richness to our lives. Christ blesses us in order to make us a blessing to others. This is how to experience a joy that money cannot buy. There may be people in heaven whose needs we met, and whose lives we touched with the gospel.

Thinking about living in heaven? You bet! I've got my heart set on it!