“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); “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” (Rev. 22:17)
Lord Jesus, heaven is the Home for which we ache. The heart-hole nothing else can fill. The wholeness we crave in a world of everything-is-brokenness. Thank you for earning heaven for us and keeping us for heaven.
The “eternity” you placed in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11) is more about cardiology (Who we’re made to love), than chronology (how long we’re gonna live). Heaven isn’t “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).
So, unleash our craving for you, Jesus. May nothing else matter to us more than you. Keep us redemptively discontent till the Day we are utterly, fully, “mind-blowingly” satisfied in you.
And show us how to spend and be spent in sharing the Gospel with others—whatever our vocation, season of life, and web of relationships. What a privilege to be a means by which the Spirit says, “Come. If you’re thirsty, come to Jesus. Drink freely from the water of life.” Life is so short, and you are SO good. So Very Amen.
