“For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:14-16).
GOD HAS PREPARED A CITY FOR HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE, AN ETERNAL ABODE IN HIS PRESENCE. To say the least, such a prospect ought to be something we desire. Going to heaven ought to be something we want with all our hearts. In comparison to the “country” of our sojourn here below, that one is far superior. Think with me, though, about the future in terms of good, better, and best.
Good. Despite whatever difficulties we may have experienced, most of us can say the past has been good. Mercifully, the painful memories recede as time goes by, and what we remember are the acts of love and the moments of joy. Surely, these have been good.
Better. However good the past has been, we ought to be able to say that the present is better. If we’ve been making choices that are conducive to growth, then what we are today is something better than what we were yesterday. And even if not, we can always make choices today that will make the present better than the past.
Best. By God’s help we are what we are today, and that is better than what we were yesterday. But to be a Christian means that we are continuing to grow. Never content with the progress we’ve made so far, we are always reaching for higher goals tomorrow. So we should not hesitate to say that the future will be the best of all.
But, of course, what will be better even than the best of this world is the “better country” to which we are going when our lives are completely done. That better country is a “heavenly country,” and that is what our hearts desire most of all. But here is a wonderful truth: our final destination is not only good, but the way by which our Father is leading us there is also good. So while we fervently long for heaven, let’s also enjoy the journey. Although difficult, it is still the great adventure. In God, the whole path — from start to finish — is full of grace and goodness.
A wonderful way is the King’s Highway;
It runs through the nightland up to the day;
From the wonderful was, by the wonderful is,
To the more wonderful is to be.
(John Masefield)
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
