Living On Earth, Longing For Heaven

Through God's Word I know that there are treasures waiting for me in Heaven. I have been promised Crowns from my Savior. I have a mansion waiting for me in Glory. One day I will literally walk on streets of gold. Because of this, I have A Desire To Leave. But even with this great promise, I have A Desire To Live.

Though Heaven is waiting, there is still work to do here on earth! But my Desire To Live is coupled with A Desire To Labor. More than anything this world has to offer, I want to live this life having an eternal impact. When I take my last breath and step into eternity I want to know that my precious wife is going to spend eternity in Heaven. I want to know that my children know Jesus as their personal Savior. I want my extended family to have assurance that Heaven will be their home. I want my friends to experience God's saving grace. I want to tell strangers about salvation through Christ. And I want to do all that I can to help those that are saved to grow in their walk with Jesus.

I can honestly say, I have A Desire To Labor! Can you say that? Do you have the same desire that Paul had? Do you want to live your life laboring for the King? Ask yourself... "what am I doing with the life I have been given? Are you being a good steward of your time, talents and treasures? Do you realize that you will one day stand and give and account to your Savior? - 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Will you stand there and watch the efforts of this life burn up as wood , hay and stubble? Or are you storing up gold, silver and precious stones that will be the basis for your reward? Do you have a desire to leave? Do you have a desire to live? Do you have a desire to labor?

Paul faced a dilemma he desired to be with Christ in Heaven and to serve Him here on earth. Somewhere around 57 AD Paul mentioned his desire to leave and be with Christ. This is seen in - 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Then five years later in 62 AD Paul still had that same desire - Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Fast forward another 4 or 5 years and we here some of Paul's final words in - 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

When time came for him to leave, Paul could do so with confidence. If you were to find yourself on your deathbed this week, will you be able to say "I have done what I was called to do". If not, there is still time to change that fate. You can come and repent of your idleness, fully surrender your all to Him and make the rest of your days the best of your days.You can leave here with a focus and determination to live and labor until it is time to leave.