Anticipating Our Eternity
As we’ve spent the past few days growing our understanding of eternity and what our life will be like there, I imagine that for many of you it has served as a reminder of how temporal this life on earth really is. And the more we understand just how harsh and painful the effects of sin are in this world, the more a longing for our true, heavenly home arises in our hearts.
These glimpses of what heaven is like awaken us to all that God has in store for those who place their trust in Him. Through His Word and His Spirit, God gives us a small taste of what is ahead so that our hearts will never be able to settle for anything less than what He has offered to us.
As we are living on this broken earth, groaning under the weight of sin, we know that the sovereign purposes of God in our lives are still unfolding. So, how do we, those who live between the first coming of Christ and His return, wait with eager expectation? How are we to live in light of our glorious, eternal future? The following verses provide insight into the lives we are called to as we wait in anticipation of our eternity.
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.”
-1 John 3:2, 3
Our expectancy of life in heaven ought to motivate us to live pure and holy lives. As we anchor our hearts and thoughts on heaven, we begin to treasure the things that are treasured in heaven, and live for the things that will last. While we are awaiting our future joy, we should be compelled toward Christ-centered living. When we know that we will be spending eternity in God’s presence, our desire should be to glorify Him in everything we do—sharing His Word with boldness, praising Him with our every breath, displaying His love to those around us, and earnestly seeking to know Him more.
Our anticipation of heaven should also affect how we use our time, how we spend our money, our friendships, and our priorities. If you truly believe that you will spend eternity in the perfect and forever presence of Christ, surrounded by His unending glory and beauty, you will not be content investing your time and effort in things that will not last for eternity.
The gift of life is an opportunity for us to make much of Christ every day. Our money and possessions should be used in such a way that we are demonstrating to the world that Christ is our truest and greatest treasure. The choices we make in our lives ought to show others that our joy is ultimately found in Christ and not in the temporal pleasures of this world. The way in which we display the incomparable worth of Jesus in our lives is by delighting in Christ above all else. When you are moved by the magnitude of enjoyment and pleasure that awaits you in heaven, you will be able to dismiss the lesser pleasures that the world tries to entice you with.
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.”
-Hebrews 12:28
When our eyes are fixed on our eternal home, we should be overflowing with thankfulness! Joel 2:21 tells us to “be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!” Experiencing day to day joy in Christ isn’t just a fantasy. It is the result of the finished work of Christ! God procured and guaranteed our eternal happiness through the cross and resurrection. Let us praise Him! Dear one, in light of all that God has done for you, and all that He is preparing for you, let your life be a song for Him!
“But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.”
-2 Peter 3:13, 14
It is natural for us to find current, but temporary happiness in the anticipation of upcoming events. We look forward to celebrations, reunions, activities, time off work, and vacations. How much more should we find lasting happiness in the anticipation of the day when God will make all things new—when the curse of sin upon God’s creation is completely defeated, death is swallowed up in victory, and we are reunited with Christ and our children who have gone home before us!
God wants us—His people—to be longing for the new creation. He wants us earnestly patient for the future so that we’re incredibly effective and productive in the present. This is why He has told us how good life in heaven is going to be.
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.”
-Isaiah 25:8
The day has not yet arrived when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, but it is coming. And this promise, that has been bought with the precious blood of Christ, holds stunning significance for our present lives.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
-Matthew 5:4
Blessed are. Not blessed will be. There is a present blessing that results from this promise of future comfort. Sister, while the God of all comfort has extended His comfort to us even now on this broken earth, it will be made complete in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
And so, as we wait with eager expectation for our home-going, will you choose to allow the light of the future God has prepared for you to flow outward from you in a spectrum of thoughts, actions, and attitudes that are pleasing to Him? Will you choose to let your life be a reflection of His goodness and grace? Will you choose to stop loading down your spouse, your job, your friends, and your life with expectations that can only be met when God makes everything new?
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
-Revelation 21:3-5
What a glorious day that will be!
- Ashlee
Hope Mom to Simeon and Odelle
Ashlee is the Editorial Coordinator for Hope Mommies and author of I AM (Hope Mommies, 2017) and Identity (Hope Mommies, 2018). She and her husband, Jesse, live in Milwaukee with their children—five on earth and two in heaven.
Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.
Erieka
June 23, 2016 (8:01 pm)
I pray every day is my last day on this horrible earth filled with sin, sorrow, sickness, war, etc. I cannot wait for the day he takes me home.
Ashlee Schmidt
June 23, 2016 (9:52 pm)
Oh, sweet Erieka…
My heart is aching for you. The number of days God has ordained for your life is no mistake. While I echo your longing for eternity, I pray that you will resolve to live each day on this earth with renewed purpose. Each new day is an opportunity to make much of our Great God! Each new day is an opportunity to further His Kingdom. Each new day is an opportunities to point others to Christ, magnify the name of the Lord, and bring Him glory. I am praying right now that you will be filled with the joy of the Lord even while living on an earth groaning under the weight of sin. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to this community of mommas!
Erieka
June 24, 2016 (10:28 pm)
How do you all move forward carrying such deep sorrow of losing a child? This was my only child and I feel as if I will never have a family. I long to be a mother. I pray, read the bible, and still cannot figure out how to move forward with renewed hope. I feel punished, alone, a failure, and unworthy of love. My relationship is dimishing, my career nosediving, and simple house chores are so unimportant. I long for joy again but cannot find it.
All these reasons are why I pray to be taken to my eternal home…where the tears are finally gone. I am lost in this world. Jesus…please lead the way. Amen.
Aimee Merritt
July 2, 2016 (12:01 am)
I have so completely been in your shoes. I will pray you see God’s love and goodness in the midst of your dreary, long days. Please know as I am writing this I am saying it with open arms and would be hugging you if we were together. It took a lot of tears and aching before my husband was bold enough to tell me that the children I lost were the ones I was supposed to lose. I wanted those babies no matter what and it took an ‘aha’ moment for him to boldly say I was never meant to have those babies. God is good. He is good on the sunny days and the ones that go smoothly. And our God is even good on the days where I feel I have lost everything. He loves me more than I know and will and can only give me what’s good and best for my life. That means whether he gives me children or not. That took a few years for me to grasp and it wasn’t until I lost my precious 3rd baby before I saw how Good he was. Through the most tragic event of my life and I saw grace and goodness from my creator that loves me more than I love me. Hold fast to God’s goodness and truth and he promises to lead you through the valley!