Sports, career, movies, Facebook, caring for loved ones, planning for retirement, even volunteering at church: Everyday life can grab and hold our attention, distracting us from thoughts about Jesus and of our eternal life with Him in heaven.  Some Christian churches mistakenly add to the problem by telling us, “Christianity is about helping others in their daily lives, don’t let eternity take your focus away from that.”

   The truth is that Jesus lived a perfect life in our place and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven.  That is the very Gospel message as repeated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

   In Scripture, God tells us that our heavenly destination is of utmost importance and should be central in our thoughts and desires.

   “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

   “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

   God commends ancient believers for their faith and says: “… they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  …Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.”  (Hebrews 11:13b, 16a)

   Also see 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:9; and Philippians 3:14-21.