Tuesday nights are one of my favourite nights.   This is the night I get to meet and study with others dedicated to learning the Word and growing in relationship with God.   There is always something that just leaps out to me when we meet this way.   And last night, and all of this week it has been the need to keep our eyes on the eternal and not the things of this world.

 

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”

– Colossians 3:1-2

  “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

–Hebrews 12:2

 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

– Philippians 4:8

Every now and then, I get the tiniest glimpse (feeling is a better description) of what heaven will be like.    You know, those moments when you are in the perfect place, the smells, sights, sounds, everything just lines up and you are just totally, blissfully joyful.   I remember being in the south of France, looking out over the sparkling waters of the mediterreanean sea, standing on the island of the Chateau if and feeling just this deep, complete utter joy.  That was over 15 years ago but the feeling stuck.    Or this week, listening to the Piano guys “Beethoven’s 5 secrets”, and having my soul leap within me…     and these things are only types and shadows of the heavenly version… Can you imagine 24/7, music so beautiful, so perfect, so lovely that you could weep endlessly in pure joy?

I am determined more than ever to set my sights on the things of heaven, to come to know and medidate on regularly the scriptures that describe what my eternity with God will be like, so that in turn, I will be able to follow the lead of my savior,  keeping my eyes on the future joy, being able to endure whatever cross and shame I may carry in this lifetime.

“Oh my Precious Father, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”