This is not my heaven

So, I've been contemplating on this phrase for several weeks now: this is not my heaven. My sweet bible study leader shared this with me a few weeks when we were talking about unbelievers. To them, earth is as good as it gets. This is their heaven. We can't be mad at them & expect any more from them than this mindset. Their hearts aren't set on eternity & therefore their whole lives revolve around making the absolute best, most successful life they can possibly have without The Lord & his promise for an eternal reward.  

Titus & I were talking a lot about our future when he was home for Christmas. We don't get to see each other often, so we were trying to discuss the "big stuff" in the little time we had face to face. Our hearts desire to have our own family & raise our children in a house we build on some land. As we were talking through these plans & dreams, we had to constantly remind ourselves that as believers, this earth is not our heaven. A far, FAR greater reward awaits us in the home God is preparing for us as His chosen children. Even as Christians, it is so easy to forget this. The hostess/decorator in me has all kinds of dreams for creating a beautiful home to have people over in, entertain & build a beautiful life for my family. While it isn't be to have a pretty house or nice things, we have to be so careful & mindful of the human materialistic nature we have inside us. Idolizing material, beautiful things, financial security, is sinful. In fact, ANYTHING that takes God's rightful place in our lives & rules over us is idol worship. This isn't something we really want to hear & it isn't something I would ever want to admit but I know I do it. Just because I strongly feel called to be a wife & mother, doesn't mean my pursuing of God should suffer or fail to be the focus of my whole life's purpose. 

Makes me think of that Carrie Underwood song I love so much- This is my Temporary Home. I'll share a few lyrics below: 

Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers "Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"
He looks up and says "I can see God's face"

"This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this was my temporary home"
This is our temporary home

Titus & I have such a heart for our Peru boys. I don't know how God is going to use this passion in our future but I know there's a reason He's given us both such a strong love for these precious children (I'll share more about them & what we do in a later post). As great as a house, kids, etc all sounds, our focus is to be on eternity & the Gospel. God wasn't kidding when he said that this life is a vapor & we shouldn't waste it. Instead of building heaven here, our mindset should be that of the Great Commission: sharing God's incredible love & making disciples. 

James 4:14 reminds me that I shouldn't boast in these future plans. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." 

All this comes down to the principle in Colossians 3: "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."

This can be a hard pill to swallow when human desires overtake us, but I pray that God will make this truth real in my life both now & throughout my future. 

Well, I guess this wasn't real "grace-filled" today but it's just what God put on my heart. I'm so glad His unfailing grace covers me at times where I get so lost in my own desires & materialistic wants. I so don't want to miss out on what He has for me in eternity because my mind is so consumed with this earth. I know it can't even begin to compare to what my home in Heaven will be! 

Covered by His grace,

Kailee