Almost Heaven

When I see a beautiful place, like this picture of the Shenandoah River in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I am convinced that God created it for our enjoyment and His glory! I believe He has created places like this as a snapshot of Heaven. As the late song writer John Denver wrote, “Almost heaven, West Virgina, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River…”

People have told me through the years that, “heaven must be boring, sitting on white clouds playing golden harps is not for me.” My response has been what the Bible teaches, that Heaven is so beautiful and amazing it’s beyond our imaginations. I Corinthians 2:9, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.“

There is an old saying, “Don’t become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” I’m not sure where that saying came from, because it’s not in the Bible. I was told this saying at Fire Station 58 when I would be found upstairs reading the Bible, while the other members were downstairs watching TV. My reading never interfered with my job as a fireman, but during our limited free time, I was always upstairs reading the Word.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:1, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.” A believer purifies himself by looking towards Christ, especially His second coming, in I John 3:2-3, “…we know He hasn’t appeared yet, but when He does, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him, purifies himself as He is pure.” In other words, if you are keeping your eyes fixed upon Christ and longing for His return you are walking in purity and godliness.

May we never allow the things of this world to hinder us from focusing upon Christ but walk with Him as if He was coming back tonight.

Soli Deo Gloria,

John