I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. Phil. 1:23
Lord Jesus, the more we ponder our eternal future with you, the more we stress less, hope more, and think mission. Our deepest desires and greatest longings will find their fulfillment in the life to come. Thank you for earning heaven for us, and keeping us for heaven (Jude 1-3; 1 Pet. 1:3-5)).
Many of us increasingly resonate with Paul’s sentiments. It’d be “far better” to depart this life and be with you, Jesus. Some days we feel that way only because we’re tired, afraid, and self-obsessing. We’re more anxious for post-COVID days, than expectant of being-with-Jesus days.
Other days it’s because we genuinely crave to be with you. Give us more of those days, Jesus. Increase our ache to know, love, and be with you. The more that’s happening in us, the more we’ll live on mission for your glory—no matter how long you keep us in our current zip codes.
Jesus, rescue us the very nanosecond our math fails us—when we no longer consider “the glory to be revealed to us, and in us,” to be greater than the sufferings, crazy, and disappointments of life in this world (Rom. 8:18-19).
May our worship of you always trump our whining, worries, wishes, and woes. Indeed, free us from us. So very Amen we pray, in your beautiful and bountiful name.