So, today I've been thinking a lot about longing for heaven. I've been recalling those verses about being a citizen of heaven, and how this earth isn't actually our real home, and when I sit and let those words sink into my head, it's abosolutely mind-blowing! I feel as though this it is so easy to get caught up in the workings of this world, the mind-sets, and the attitudes, and so difficult to remember who we really are. I'm sure that most people would think it ridiculous if we went around broadcasting that we are actually just passing through: a little vacation, if you will. Actually, more like a detour that we have to take while heading to our final destination.
Then, thinking about the final destination, I was challenged by my 411-God text today to ask myself what types of things make me long for heaven. To be honest, I really have no idea, but I think that from now on, I'm going to try to be more aware of the small blessings around me, the things that help me to see God for who He is, that make me crave Him. I'll go ahead and admit that when I found out I wasn't Jewish (I was about 4, I'm guessing), I bawled. I just couldn't come to grips with the fact that I was a Gentile, not one of God's chosen people. Since then, I have grown to understand that we Goyim are grafted into the tree of God's family, so I'm fine with not being Jewish. However, becoming aware of my faith's Hebrew roots has been something that has strengthened my faith immensely throughout the past year. I've found that God has given me a huge heart for Israel, and I have acquired an incredible respect for their culture and ways of thinking, even if I don't always agree. This love of Israel and this newfound understanding of the Bible, its beginnings, and the world that my Jesus would have lived in, has made my faith so much more real to me. I thank God so much for that, and I would say that it is one of the things that makes me crave heaven. I long for the time when the Temple will be rebuilt, I long to see Mashiach coming on the clouds, and I long to fall at his feet in worship and love.
It really kind of makes me shudder with anticipation.
Then, thinking about the final destination, I was challenged by my 411-God text today to ask myself what types of things make me long for heaven. To be honest, I really have no idea, but I think that from now on, I'm going to try to be more aware of the small blessings around me, the things that help me to see God for who He is, that make me crave Him. I'll go ahead and admit that when I found out I wasn't Jewish (I was about 4, I'm guessing), I bawled. I just couldn't come to grips with the fact that I was a Gentile, not one of God's chosen people. Since then, I have grown to understand that we Goyim are grafted into the tree of God's family, so I'm fine with not being Jewish. However, becoming aware of my faith's Hebrew roots has been something that has strengthened my faith immensely throughout the past year. I've found that God has given me a huge heart for Israel, and I have acquired an incredible respect for their culture and ways of thinking, even if I don't always agree. This love of Israel and this newfound understanding of the Bible, its beginnings, and the world that my Jesus would have lived in, has made my faith so much more real to me. I thank God so much for that, and I would say that it is one of the things that makes me crave heaven. I long for the time when the Temple will be rebuilt, I long to see Mashiach coming on the clouds, and I long to fall at his feet in worship and love.
It really kind of makes me shudder with anticipation.
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