Are we preparing our hearts to leave or to stay?  I heard a man of God ask this question once. It spoke volumes to my heart.

As we go through life, most of us make decisions, set goals, choose a particular career. But what do we base these on?  On things we enjoy?  On things that might interest us? Things we believe make us happy?  But do we ever stop to think if these decisions, these goals, are in line with what God has called us to do?  Do we even stop to consider how these decisions will affect us for eternity?

It seems like each day we become more and more comfortable in this world, in our day to day activities, filling our lives with everything but Jesus. Instead of striving to one day have the mansion He has prepared for us in Heaven, we put our efforts into building our mansions here on Earth.  Not wanting to wait for the streets of gold, the crystal sea, the gates of pearl that will one day be ours for eternity, we lay up our treasures of gold, pearls and crystal here on this Earth.  Do we not realize that all of these earthly treasures will soon pass away, that we will not take them with us when this life is over?  I think the Lord meant this especially for our generation when He spoke in Matthew 6:20, 21, “But lay up your treasures in Heaven…..For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

This great man of God also said, “I’m so miserable in this life I can hardly stand it. Not with serving Jesus, but with all the sin, all the ugliness in our world today.”  Paul said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most MISERABLE,” I Corinthians 15:19.  It seems to me that all Christians should feel that way. My prayer then is this, “God, help me not to become content in this world. Help me not to be comfortable with the things that this world has to offer. But, help me to realize that this life is not permanent. We are not here to STAY. We are just passing through. Therefore, help me to prepare my heart each and every day to LEAVE this world. Most of all, help me to strive for the ultimate goal, to one day hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter in the joys of thy Lord.”  Matthew 25:23