Why We Need To Anticipate The Joy Of Heaven

Recently my husband and I booked a cruise to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Can there be anything more fun than planning a vacation? In fact, some scientists claim anticipating a trip is more fun than actually taking it. We haven’t taken our cruise yet, but I can attest to the fun of planning it. We researched the excursions, watched a video tour of the ship, booked some massages, imagined our restful times on the ship’s deck…

This will be our first vacation since pre-COVID days ~ and we can’t wait. Since March 2020 our world has been turned upside down. Two years later, we all continue to experience the pain of living in this fallen world. I confess my heart has been heavy and I have felt weary. Planning a vacation has provided a pleasant respite. 

But recently I heard a teaching on Philippians 3:20-21 which gave me pause. The passage reads:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV)

This passage refers to another kind of anticipation ~ one where we eagerly await our Savior’s return. The context of these Scriptures reminds us this Earth is not our home. As believers, our true home is in heaven. 

Sometimes I forget this. I live here in this world and forget there is a better home waiting for me. One where there will be no trials or tragedies, no sickness or sorrow. Knowing my citizenship is in heaven brings me great comfort. Yet, I don’t often think about it. In other words, I don’t indulge in the joy of anticipating the future happiness we will find in heaven. Instead, I look at the world around me and feel moved to make a difference. 

This is one reason why I love my relationship with Jesus. Following Him allows me to shine His light in this dark world. He has helped me become a better person. But sometimes the desire to do for Him overshadows the joy of being with Him. While I don’t believe it’s wrong to work for Jesus, it becomes a problem for me when that work becomes my only focus. When the doing begins to feel like a burden, I know it is time for me to reset my priorities.

This weekend we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which presents the perfect opportunity for a reset. Jesus didn’t die just so we could live a better life in this world. He didn’t die so we could become better people, or so we could work hard for Him. While it is true that Jesus’ death ushers in many blessings in this life, this isn’t why He died.  

Jesus died so we could have eternal life. He alone broke the power death holds over us, because through Him we will receive eternal life (Hebrews 2:14-15). When we take time to anticipate this life we will one day know, we will experience joy, even in the midst of our troubles. 

Years ago I remarked to a friend, “We have all these blessings, and then we have heaven too!”

My friend gently corrected me, “No. We have heaven, and all these blessings, too.” 

Wherever we find ourselves this Easter, I pray we take time to reflect on where our true home lies. May we remember He gives us heaven first, and all other blessings second. Let’s focus on our eternal home as we continue following the One who conquered death.