don't wait for Hawaii

According to James we tend to live our lives here as if we'll always be here (not too surprising...since we've always lived here and our knowledge of Heaven is based in faith).   It's almost like spending your entire life living and working in Manhattan but keeping a glossy travel brochure of Hawaii attached to your refrigerator.  You dream of going to Hawaii in retirement and believe that it is somewhere out there, but it is hard to get your mind out of the streets, the smog and the subways.  But we forget two things: (a) our move to Heaven's shore will come soon, at a time we cannot predict and (b) God is just as present and sovereign here as He is in the place we go after we die.  You may be able to plan your retirement date and your extended Hawaii vacation, but you may find yourself in Heaven before Hawaii.  I think we can be assured that, while we are working in Manhattan, He is just as near and just as present and just as powerful as He is when we move to our heavenly address.  He is the God of "downtown" as much as the God of "up there".

James 4:¹⁴ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

James 5: ⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸ You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith