As we manage our ongoing responsibilities, it’s easy to become consumed by the daily grind – attending meetings, doing chores, running errands, and managing a constantly growing to-do list. These demands often leave us overwhelmed, with little time to reflect on our spiritual journey or our ultimate destination. Yet, as believers, we are called to be heaven-focused. God wants us to keep our attention on what has eternal value. How can we do that?
Being heaven-focused doesn’t mean neglecting our earthly responsibilities, but it does mean living with a mindset that prioritizes God’s timeless truths over this world’s temporary concerns. Doing so will help us shift our perspective each day, so we can live with a sense of joyful anticipation for the glorious future that awaits us.
Here are 7 reasons we can be heaven-focused in our everyday lives.
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1. Our citizenship is in heaven.
One of the most powerful reasons to be heaven-focused is the truth that our ultimate citizenship is not in this world, but in heaven. Philippians 3:20-21 reminds us of this: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” While we live and work in this world, our true home is not here on earth but in heaven, where we will spend eternity with Jesus. This understanding changes how we view the world and our place in it. It reminds us that the challenges of this life are temporary and that our ultimate destiny is secure, thanks to our Savior’s redemptive work for us.
Jesus tells us in John 14:2-3: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” When we remember that we are citizens of heaven, we’re motivated to live in ways that honor God and reflect God’s will. This perspective also helps us to hold loosely to the things of this world, since they’re transient and can’t compare to the glory that we’ll experience in heaven.
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2. God calls us to set our minds on things above.
Colossians 3:1-2 urges us: “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.” This passage is a clear call to be heaven-focused. It encourages us to direct our attention toward the things of God rather than being consumed by the concerns of this world. Setting our minds on things above doesn’t mean ignoring our earthly responsibilities but rather integrating our spiritual focus into everything we do. When we set our minds on heavenly things, we begin to see our daily tasks as opportunities to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.
Whether we’re working at our jobs, caring for our families, or serving in our communities, we can do so with an awareness that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. This shift in focus can bring us both peace and clarity, as we learn to prioritize what truly matters in light of eternity. It also helps us to avoid being overwhelmed by the pressures of life. We can trust that God is in control and that our lives are part of his greater plan.
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3. Our hope is anchored in eternity.
Hope is a powerful force that sustains us through difficult times. As believers, our hope is anchored in the promise of eternity with Christ. In 1 Peter 1:3-4, the Bible exclaims: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” Our hope is not based on the uncertainties of this world, but on the unchanging promises of God. The inheritance that awaits us in heaven is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It’s a hope that transcends the temporary troubles of this life. When we focus on this eternal hope, we are able to persevere through challenges.
Romans 8:18 points out: “…our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Being heaven-focused means living with excited anticipation and confidence in God’s promises. It means trusting that no matter what we face in this life, our future is secure in Christ. This hope gives us the strength to remain faithful to God in any situation we face.
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4. We can celebrate the wonder of God’s work in our lives.
Being heaven-focused doesn’t just mean looking forward to the future; it also means celebrating the ways God is at work in our lives right now. Psalm 145:5 declares: “They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty – and I will meditate on your wonderful works.” This verse invites us to reflect on the awe-inspiring works of God and to celebrate his goodness in our everyday lives. When we’re heaven-focused, we’re able to discover and celebrate the wonderful ways God is working in our lives and in the world around us. We begin to see glimpses of God’s awe-inspiring work in nature, in the kindness of others, in answered prayers, and in countless other ways.
This perspective helps us to appreciate God and his loving generosity toward us. It strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God as we notice God’s presence with us and the blessings God is constantly pouring into our lives. By celebrating the wondrous reality that God is with us and that he is caring for us well, we can stay heaven-focused every day. It allows us to experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” It also transforms our everyday experiences into opportunities for worship and praise.
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5. We can find joy in any circumstances.
It’s easy to feel joyful when we’re enjoying good circumstances. But one of the most challenging aspects of living in this fallen world is to find joy in the middle of suffering. When we’re heaven-focused, we can live with joy in any type of circumstances. In James 1:2-4, the Bible encourages us that our suffering in this fallen world is not in vain: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
This passage reminds us that God uses our trials to refine us and to strengthen our faith. When we face difficulties with a heaven-focused mindset, we can trust that God is using our suffering to produce spiritual growth and maturity in us. We can find joy in knowing that our trials are temporary and that they are preparing us for an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). Being heaven-focused in times of suffering also helps us to remember that this life is not all there is, and that our current difficulties are not the end of the story. We have the assurance that God is with us in every situation – no matter how bad or good it feels to us – and that God is using all of our experiences to accomplish good purposes in our lives.
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6. We are ambassadors for Christ.
Another reason to be heaven-focused is our calling as ambassadors for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Bible reveals: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” As ambassadors, we represent Jesus in the world, living in a way that reflects his love, grace, and truth to others. This calling to be an ambassador reminds us that our lives have a greater purpose than just our personal goals and desires. We are here to serve God and to share the good news of the Gospel with those around us.
When we’re heaven-focused, we become aware of the opportunities to witness to others through our words and actions. We begin to see our interactions with others as divine appointments – opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus and to point people toward him. Living as an ambassador for Christ also means being mindful of how our actions and choices reflect on the kingdom we represent. It motivates us to live with integrity, compassion, and grace. This perspective helps us to respond to challenges in a way that honors God and draws others to him.
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7. God calls us to store up treasures in heaven.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus teaches us: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This challenges us to consider where we’re investing our resources like time, money, and energy. Are we focused on accumulating wealth, possessions, and status in this world, or are we investing in the things of God?
Being heaven-focused means prioritizing eternal treasures over earthly ones. It means living with an awareness that the things of this world are temporary and that we can find lasting value in God’s kingdom work. When we store up treasures in heaven, we invest in things that have eternal significance – putting love into action in our relationships with God and others, and doing the work God has given us to do. This perspective frees us from the stress of pursuing material wealth and success. It allows us to live generously, making all the contributions that God wants us to make during our earthly lifetimes. Then, when we get to heaven, God will reward us for all the good we’ve done. Storing up treasures in heaven right now will also bring us the fulfillment that comes from living for something greater than ourselves.
In conclusion, being heaven-focused in our everyday lives is not about escaping reality or neglecting our earthly responsibilities. Instead, it’s about living with a mindset that prioritizes what matters most from an eternal perspective. It’s also about recognizing that our true home is in heaven, that our hope is real, and that our lives have great, God-given purposes. This heaven-focused perspective transforms the way we live for the better right here and now!
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Originally published Thursday, 05 September 2024.