“He (God) has also set eternity in the human heart” (Eccl 3:11); “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor. 15:19) “I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.” (Phil. 1:23)
Lord Jesus, heaven isn’t a mere metaphor for something awesome. It’s the Home for which we ache; the heart-hole nothing else can fill; the wholeness we crave in a world of everything-is-broken.
Thank you for earning heaven for us and keeping us for heaven. And in a most profound way, you are what makes heaven heavenly. The “eternity” our Father placed in our hearts is more cardiology than chronology—less about living forever, and more about knowing and loving you, with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Indeed, it’s not about “being out of this mess,” streets of gold, angelic hosts, or endless worship singing. The better-by-far-ness of heaven, first and foremost, is being with you—seeing you as you are, and being made like you (1 John 3:1-3).
Unleash our craving for you, Jesus. May nothing else matter to us more than you. Fuel our redemptive discontent until the Day we are utterly satisfied in you. Esau’s porridge can’t compare with the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.