Enjoying Life but Longing for Home
14/10/07 09:30
Christianity is tough! St. Peter, while quoting
Proverbs, said,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be
saved, what will become of the ungodly and the
sinner?”
Forget the fact that Christians must fall in love and
trust in Someone they have never seen. That we know
(by faith) that we are saved, yet we are looking
forward to being saved and that we are to love the
world and not love it at the same time is a
perplexing mystery. It’s no wonder God has
chosen for us to live by faith –you can’t
do it any other way! But, what I would like to talk
to you about today is the conflict in my heart when I
experience the joy of living and the longing for
Heaven. I think that I am kind of light-hearted at
heart. At times, I have even been accused of taking
things too light hearted. It is my opinion that life
is hard enough to take it too seriously. But in
saying that, I still know that this life is a
battleground for the souls of man and that is very
serious!
I believe that God has given man pleasures in this life and He in no way begrudges us those pleasures as long as they are legitimate in His eyes. For instance, I enjoy playing golf, spending evenings out with my wife, movies and fine cuisine. I enjoy puttering around the house and building little projects. While I am experiencing these things, the longing that I have in my heart for Heaven seems recessed into the back of my mind. How can one continue to have a desire to go to Heaven while enjoying life on this earth? Simply put; to be continually grateful to God for every pleasure that you experience. So often we seek God when life gets rough and we go through trials, and this is right and good; but we should seek Him in the blessings and pleasures of life as well. Doesn’t it seem that the people of this world are quick to blame God for the evil but attribute their happiness to themselves. I think that we, as Christians, should think just the opposite. The Bible says that God blesses man and He adds no trouble to it! Pr. 10:22 Solomon tells us that, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find any enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…” I think we should seek the Lord during the blessedness of life, not only will He enhance the blessedness but He’ll even stir our hearts for Home. I hope the next time you enjoy some pleasure here on earth, you hear the Lord say, “If you think this is nice, wait until you see what I have for you up here!” Remember, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him!”
I believe that God has given man pleasures in this life and He in no way begrudges us those pleasures as long as they are legitimate in His eyes. For instance, I enjoy playing golf, spending evenings out with my wife, movies and fine cuisine. I enjoy puttering around the house and building little projects. While I am experiencing these things, the longing that I have in my heart for Heaven seems recessed into the back of my mind. How can one continue to have a desire to go to Heaven while enjoying life on this earth? Simply put; to be continually grateful to God for every pleasure that you experience. So often we seek God when life gets rough and we go through trials, and this is right and good; but we should seek Him in the blessings and pleasures of life as well. Doesn’t it seem that the people of this world are quick to blame God for the evil but attribute their happiness to themselves. I think that we, as Christians, should think just the opposite. The Bible says that God blesses man and He adds no trouble to it! Pr. 10:22 Solomon tells us that, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find any enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…” I think we should seek the Lord during the blessedness of life, not only will He enhance the blessedness but He’ll even stir our hearts for Home. I hope the next time you enjoy some pleasure here on earth, you hear the Lord say, “If you think this is nice, wait until you see what I have for you up here!” Remember, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him!”
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