Heaven's Focus
"Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
Psalm 73: 23-26
Whom have I in heaven but God? Is there anything on earth that I desire? Ummmm, well...in heaven I've got my grandparents, two cousins, a girl from my Bible study, and a mother-in-law I've never met but always respected because she's responsible in part for my amazing husband. On earth, I desire way more than I could list here. I'll mention a few: my husband, my kids, my extended family, my friends, my church family, my home and the stylish things in it (or in the magazines that sit on the shelf in it), my clothes, my town, my favorite vacation spots, my wishful vacations spots, and on and on and on. I've GOT a lot and desire, perhaps, even more.
What if I had and desired God alone? What if when I thought about heaven, my mind didn't instantly go to the people I can't wait to embrace there? In our society, we often think of those who have gone before as "looking down on us and smiling." While this thought brings comfort, I've never read a verse that refers to those in heaven reacting to those on earth. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...that happens!) What I do find in the Bible about heaven always points to God's indescribable glory and the impulsive worship that His very essence inspires. I do not begin to understand the realms of the heavenly, but I can imagine the genuine worship that I experience on earth is just a small sampling of the glory of heaven. During those times in worship on earth, I am focused on God. When I'm not focused on God the worship is nothing but a nice background beat to my menial thoughts racing around my head. Perhaps heaven will involuntarily be an eternal holistic devotion. Perhaps I will not be distracted. Perhaps I will experience God's glory as outlined in Scripture. This is a new thought to me. Of course my mother-in-law is not doting over her grand-kids' accomplishments while she looks over the pearly gates of heaven...she is too wrapped up in her God, worshiping in the His very throne-room! Wow! Keep dancing girl, I will be there soon!!!!
God, I want you to be my portion...forever! I want to desire only you. Help me to manage my distractions and the necessary parts of living here on earth. Help me to have a perspective that directs my focus on You. I want nothing that this world has to offer, except You. You walk with me faithfully, guide me with your counsel, and when I am finished here, You will usher me into a state of glory! I look forward to that, God. I can't wait to spend all of eternity worshiping You alone! All of the meaningful relationships I value here on earth pale in comparison to your glory....I love you, my God, my portion. Amen.
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
Psalm 73: 23-26
Whom have I in heaven but God? Is there anything on earth that I desire? Ummmm, well...in heaven I've got my grandparents, two cousins, a girl from my Bible study, and a mother-in-law I've never met but always respected because she's responsible in part for my amazing husband. On earth, I desire way more than I could list here. I'll mention a few: my husband, my kids, my extended family, my friends, my church family, my home and the stylish things in it (or in the magazines that sit on the shelf in it), my clothes, my town, my favorite vacation spots, my wishful vacations spots, and on and on and on. I've GOT a lot and desire, perhaps, even more.
What if I had and desired God alone? What if when I thought about heaven, my mind didn't instantly go to the people I can't wait to embrace there? In our society, we often think of those who have gone before as "looking down on us and smiling." While this thought brings comfort, I've never read a verse that refers to those in heaven reacting to those on earth. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...that happens!) What I do find in the Bible about heaven always points to God's indescribable glory and the impulsive worship that His very essence inspires. I do not begin to understand the realms of the heavenly, but I can imagine the genuine worship that I experience on earth is just a small sampling of the glory of heaven. During those times in worship on earth, I am focused on God. When I'm not focused on God the worship is nothing but a nice background beat to my menial thoughts racing around my head. Perhaps heaven will involuntarily be an eternal holistic devotion. Perhaps I will not be distracted. Perhaps I will experience God's glory as outlined in Scripture. This is a new thought to me. Of course my mother-in-law is not doting over her grand-kids' accomplishments while she looks over the pearly gates of heaven...she is too wrapped up in her God, worshiping in the His very throne-room! Wow! Keep dancing girl, I will be there soon!!!!
God, I want you to be my portion...forever! I want to desire only you. Help me to manage my distractions and the necessary parts of living here on earth. Help me to have a perspective that directs my focus on You. I want nothing that this world has to offer, except You. You walk with me faithfully, guide me with your counsel, and when I am finished here, You will usher me into a state of glory! I look forward to that, God. I can't wait to spend all of eternity worshiping You alone! All of the meaningful relationships I value here on earth pale in comparison to your glory....I love you, my God, my portion. Amen.
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