Begin with the End in Mind - Heaven

Good morning, Five Minute Families! Let’s begin this year with the end in mind. We aren’t talking about the end of 2022. We are going to do a series for the month of January looking at different life events, but we are going to begin with the end in mind. Why? Well, for starters, John 6:27 emphasizes, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Eternal life… Heaven… A believer’s end goal. Successful people suggest that we write down our long term goals, break them down into smaller short term goals, and always keep the end in our mind when we make little, everyday decisions that add up to produce the end goal. When we focus on accumulating wealth or fame or even simple pleasures here on earth, we are setting ourselves up to experience great losses. Ed Stetzer puts it this way: “Live in a contrast between now and not yet. Paul says we “groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are” (2 Cor. 5:4). We groan because we are in this imperfect, broken, struggling reality, but we look forward to the time when that reality is replaced with something better, something greater.” Live now as a citizen of heaven. Bible.org in its article Developing A Heavenly Mindset says this: “Some have said it is possible to be “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” However, when you look at the history of the church, it was those who were the most heavenly minded who did the most good.” So, five-minute families, how can we begin with the end in mind and be heavenly minded right now?First, don’t try to make heaven on earth for yourself. Matthew 6:19-21 inspires us to lay up our treasures in heaven. Specifically, it states, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Have you ever cleaned the kitchen just to have your family members come in and make a mess again? Frustrating, isn’t it? Imagine that on the eternal scale. However, the work we do with heaven in mind has a lasting impact.Second, study who you are in Christ and to Christ. Understand that our position in heaven does not change no matter what is happening here on earth. Having a full understanding of who we are in Christ and to Christ gives us earthly peace about our heavenly home. Third, continuously examine your thoughts about heaven. Do you hold false beliefs about what heaven means or is? Make sure you write down what you think heaven is so that you are aware of the beliefs that are driving your thoughts and actions in this earthly life. Fourth, study scripture that explains or comments on heaven. As always, we must point back to Scripture - not our own thoughts about heaven or some theologian’s comments - but God’s Truth. By examining Revelation 7:15-17, John 14:2, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 24:35, and many more, we can get an accurate image of heaven and some of the depths of God’s abundant blessings in it. Fifth, look forward to sharing in Christ’s glory. Colossians 3:4 reminds us, “And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” To look forward to the end goal of spending a sweet and glorious eternity in heaven with God, the riches of this world begin to pale in comparison and the cares and burdens are but speedbumps to slowly maneuver around as we continue on to our ultimate glorification.More fully, Colossians 3 verses 1 through 4 encourages us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”What a wonderful blessing that we can begin this new year with less anxiety, keeping the real purpose in mind of ALL that we are doing. As Luke 14:28 states, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” We can contribute to an abundant life here on earth by beginning with the end in mind. A resource we highly recommend is a book by Matt McGee titled The View From the Rocking Chair. Thank you for joining us for this first Five Minute Family of 2022. May the Lord bless and keep you; may His light shine upon you. Happy New Year!