Although we live in this world, we are not of this world, (John 17:16). We are citizens of heaven called upon by God to be Christ’s ambassadors. When it’s all said and done we will go back to our Creator, and give an account of all the days we spent here on earth.
Life on this earth for us is but a glimpse of a very big picture, a whisper of a long unending story. Nothing but vapor- (James 4:14). An eternal story that began before time. Only faith in God expands our vision to see more than this world offers, to look at everything through a different light and to see a life beyond this.
That is why life on this earth should not take up all that we are. Yet again, so important on the choices we make because they are the determinants of where we spend eternity.
Abraham our father of faith lived this kind of life. God called him out of his people and then began a journey with him. He followed God although he did not know where he was going- he trusted the one who called him. He was so submitted to God that by the end of it all, he looked forward to more than just a city to settle in. He encountered the God of the universe and desired more than what he had. He craved more than just a life on this earth– he now wanted a city whose builder and architect is God– (Hebrew 11). He looked forward to something greater, something stable, something permanent and something eternal. No wonder he did not waste his time building a city for himself- even a house let alone a city. The man could easily have built a castle but that did not get to him. Of course he could afford it, he was very rich in gold and silver and also in livestock, God had blessed Abraham in every way. (Genesis 13:2 and Genesis 24:1). He lived all through his life as a sojourner living in tents and building altars.
This kind of lifestyle makes it clear that he was on a pilgrim, on a journey to somewhere. He walked with God and was so much transformed to the point that God’s vision became his own. You know, God is not ashamed to be called the God of Abraham. Abraham was a friend of God. A closeness that happened over time. It was a journey where Abraham had to learn trust and who God truly is. When they set off, God promised him a son, even though it was biologically ridiculous. He got the son but then again foresaw a time in history where he will be a father of all those who believe. Through his Seed, the world will all be reconciled back to God, a period in time where through him; God incarnate will enter time and be bound to human flesh and save people from every tribe and tongue and nation- and yes, now all those who believe in Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior are his (Abraham) children,(Galatians 3:8-9- See why Mathew introduced Jesus to the world as the Son of David and the Son of Abraham)!
All because he desired something more. Things did not matter to him; his vision was set on a world beyond this. It was so evident that even those around him saw it. Remember that guy who got in trouble with God because of Abraham’s wife. Abimelech, he was a king. So he sees Sarah, likes her lots and lots, (coz she was pretty and I mean very pretty), well God appears to this guy in a dream and tells him- he is a dead man. Whoa….yep because he took another man’s wife. Later, he and his household were forgiven, after a confrontation. Poor guy, it was Abraham who lied….. (Genesis 20). This guy observed Abraham was no any ordinary man, he said to Abraham, “God is obviously with you helping you in everything that you do”, (Genesis 21:22). Abraham went about his business in this world, but differently. Living a life day by day but with eternity in his mind. He lived all his life for the One who called him out of the Ur of the Chaldeans, although he did not understand everything, God did not lay it all step by step for him, he lived by faith trusting the One who knew it all ,the One who declares the end from the beginning. He clung to God’s word. And God is not ashamed to be called the God of Abraham.
God paid a great price for us; it cost Him His only begotten Son for us to live a life with Him, and even so, we have to choose because God will not do it for us. Christ already chose us, when we were still sinners He died for us, and we are left with a choice of a home for ourselves in the next life.
The life we live here is not our own, we owe Him. We are called to live so temporal on this earth, that things do not have us; we do not get attached at all to this life because it is not forever. We cannot afford to live like this is the life.
The only thing that’s eternal is the relationship we have with our Heavenly father- all else fades. Let us live this life every second with eternity in our minds, because only what we do for eternity will count. That we live a life of building altars-which is a lifestyle of worship doing everything as unto God. (Colossians 3:17 & 3:23-24). Looking forward every day to our HOME where we will spend forever with God. By the way, Forever is a long time; a world without end.
Beautiful truth dear. Keep the writing. Keep inspiring us.
We too as the seed of Abraham are on in a journey to our eternal home even as we enjoy life here on earth.