Here or Heaven?

I realize that it has been a pretty long time since I got on here. I would love to say that its been because that I have just been too busy. But, more honestly, its because I have been too lazy. I haven't really had anything hit me or anything that I felt led to talk about. But, I am back today with some thoughts on the current chapter that our small group is discussing tonight, chapter 7.

I will get to the thoughts on the book first and then I have something else I want to share. The really challenging part of this week's chapter is the idea of longing more for heaven than for our life that we have now. We have it good in America. There is pretty much anything that you could want within driving distance. And we all have abilities to get there. When Chan asks, are we living in a way that shows that our hope, our desire is not for this life but the next, we have to ask ourselves if that's true. In the video for this chapter, the question is posed this way. Do you long for Jesus to come back today? If you could have the choice, would that be what you want? I had to stop and think about it. Yes, I desire to love God and strive to show that love. I want to learn more about Jesus and hopefully in doing so model my life in a way that reflects His character. But, are there things in this life that I want to do before Jesus comes? Would I feel like I missed something if Jesus was to come today? I reluctantly answer yes to those questions. I guess that's part of our human nature, but its also something that we have to surrender to God. Its not something to be beat up over, but a need to bring before the Father and allow Him to minister to that lack of love.

I am not saying that I don't plan. I have to. I have to plan on things that will happen until Jesus comes back. However, I don't have to desire them more. I think that the line there is a very thin one to walk. Maybe its part of the reason that we HAVE to ask for God's guidance on a daily basis. Its impossible for us to try and tackle it ourselves. These are just me working through my thoughts on this chapter and I might not ever get it right. But, I am willing to share those with you.

Now, on to something I wanted to share about the last post that I wrote. I prayed with my wife over the areas that I have been feeling like I am disappointed with God. I didn't hold back either. If I felt scared, I said I was scared. If I felt hurt, I said I was hurt. I know that might sound like it just makes sense, but I definitely have been putting on a face of "ok-ness" before God for a long time. I don't know if I have ever felt so good about something that I have no control over in a long time. I know that nothing about the situation has changed but I have a little. Andy Stanley said this about prayer, "Prayer isn't about changing God, its about changing you." I can say that honest, open, prayer with God does change you. You feel like He really cares and is listening, or at least I did. So, if there is an area that you feel like God has been silent on in your life. Just tell Him how you are feeling there. Especially if you haven't ever prayed how you feel to God before. Let Him do what He longs to do, care and love on us. Its hard sometimes, but its so worth it.