Looking For A City

How easy it is for us to become so focused on the “here and now” that we forget about the “bye and bye”. This is an old phrase but it speaks of that which is yet to come, after our time on the earth is complete and after this age has run its course. So much of what we do, work at, dream about, plan for and even hope for deals with the short period of time we find ourselves “on this terrestrial ball”. We focus on economy, politics, health, relationships, pleasure, success and our own self-esteem. Although some of these things are important to consider, all of them are destined to parish with their use.

Economics fluctuate with the whims of a relatively small group of the super wealthy (and might I add, super greedy) few.

Politics can change at a moments notice depending upon the favor of the party in power. Then every two to four years the best can become worst and the worst can be seen as good.

We can do all that we possibly can to maintain our bodies in great healthy and strong shape only to have a heart give out or a disease take its toll.

Relationships are only as good as the commitment made by the parties, “for better or worse”. This is true rather in marriage, friendship or even church relations.

Seeking after pleasure becomes a fleeting target along with success. What is deemed to be the ideal for today grows weary tomorrow and a greater high or a bigger bank account becomes the target not quite reached.

Self-esteem is so focused on, well, self, that it often comes to the point of excluding the needs of others around us; only to find that we are rejected by those who surround us thus bringing our self-esteem down. When I focus on self I have very narrow vision and my heart is not open to the needs around me.

My maternal grandmother died at the young age of 101 years old. That seems like a long time and for the average of human life it is a long time. But in view of eternity it is but a vapor. No matter what your current age or your current health or your current economic condition, there is not one person reading this Blog that will still be around 100 years from now. This mortal body is destined for decay. Eternity awaits each one of us. For the Believer we know that the next life will be that which lasts forever. It is when this mortal puts on immortality, when this corruptible puts on incorruption. It is that time when we will no longer know in part, but we shall see all things as they really are and we will finally see Jesus face to face.

Two songs, one old and one relatively new speak of that time:

What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see.
When I look upon His face,
The one who saved my by His grace.

And,
Surrounded by Your glory,
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

Abraham understood this idea as he sought for a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10) (“Oh that I would have that same heart and not be so easily distracted”). Yet, in the midst of his faith Abraham had issues and problems. There were real battles that Abraham had to fight. There were family relationships that were in absolute turmoil that Abraham had to deal with. There were choices he had to make that allowed him, to leave Ur and the gods of his fathers to seek out the one true God that called Him to a new home. He could have let physical limitations keep him from experiencing all that God had for him, yet he believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

The Bible tells us that because of that type of mindset, “God was not ashamed to be called their God (Hebrews 11:16).” I am personally struck by that verse. I have to wonder, not if God is, but rather how often God is “ashamed to be called” my God.

“Lord, help me keep my eyes on You. Help me to focus upon the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Help me not to be such a whiner about the little things”