The unofficial end of Summer is upon us. Labor Day comes and we start to shift our focus from summer activities to Autumn events. I acknowledge we might not be done with warmer weather yet, after all, this summer was a whopper, but gratefully cooler days can be expected. The heat of this summer has reminded me heaven is definitely where I want to be spending eternity. I definitely could not survive the burning fires of hell unless air-conditioning were an option, which I do not believe it would be.
Before we start turning our focus entirely to our heavenly home, I want to remind you what Paul admonishes us to remember in Romans 6: 3-5, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Jesus did not just experience a resurrection in heaven but one on earth as well. So, as we pine for heaven, we need to remember we have a lifetime on earth to live.
We read Jesus’ words in John 10: 10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Jesus wants us to live our lives here on earth. Jesus has given us a gift of abundant life to be lived, not squandered waiting for God to swoop down and take us to heaven. Jesus gave us life to live abundantly every day now and forever more.
My mother-in-law was famous for stopping us in our tracks and saying, “Woe, slow down and smell the roses.” I would like to stop you in your tracks today and say, “Woe, slow down and find the blessings.” Don’t just pine for heaven but look for heaven here on earth, during the scorching hot days, the mild days of Autumn, and the sure to come cold days of winter. We should never be satisfied with waiting for heaven, instead we should be elated to live our lives here in the abundance Jesus has promised.
God’s blessings are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23), start looking for them today. Live the life Jesus wants for you…one filled with hope, faith, joy, and abundance.
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
Pastor Linda’s Cell Phone: 585 330-0618
Pastor Linda’s Office e-mail: pastorlinda11@gmail.com