- The cancer returned
- The job has ended
- The relationship turned ugly
- Body aches rule
- The Internet crashed
- Our plans and dreams were not realized
What does all this tell us? “Heaven is not here. It is There.“
Elisabeth Elliot wrote this statement in her book, Keep a Quiet Heart. I’m re-reading this devotional again, and when I came across this quote this week, I’ve had many situations in which I have applied it.
- Pain in my jaw. Heaven is not here.
- A lost document. Heaven is not here.
- Disheartening relationships. Heaven is not here.
- I sinned in my attitude. Heaven is not here.
- Frustration over plans not being realized. Heaven is not here.
- Fatigue in serving. Heaven is not here.
Elisabeth goes on to say,
If were were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world, rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.
Hebrews 13:14 says, For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. This verse is telling us if we bear reproach for the cause of Christ, we must remember that the city here is only temporary. We seek and belong to a city yet to come. It’s our eternal home.
All these hard things cause us to look to Christ, our Savior and long to be with Him. He wants us to anticipate that day and yearn for it, for heaven, and for Him.
That kind of perspective should shed a whole new light on our struggles. We need to keep this phrase in our mind – “Heaven is not here. It is there.” Then we can nod, smile and anticipate the day when we will be THERE!
What are you facing today that has you frustrated, sad, or distressed? Ask the Lord to help you look at it through the lens of eternity and be refreshed in the midst of your struggles.
RefreshHer 