Citizenship: choose earth or heaven

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:18-21 ESV)

We choose between two realities, two life's, two homes where we trust our citizenship. Will we choose the reality that is blind to all things eternal and sets hope in things of this life which are out of our control. Will we choose to live on earth and die in eternity. Or will we choose to die to self carry our cross and believe in Jesus. Will we choose the pain now believing in the reality which is by faith. The reality of eternity where God rules which is actually more real but less visible. Will we choose to walk this world as foreigners loving God or will we love the things which will pass in this life.

These questions are hard because often we want both. I know I walk a fine line sometimes fixing my life after Christ and then losing my focus and chasing after things of this life: relationships success and security etc. 

Lord help me to see the spiritual reality of eternity in sharp contrast to the fleeting and temporary pleasures of this life. 

Lord this week I have come to appreciate this verse more because I have seen the sin and evil of my fleshly body. It is weak and sad and I long for a heavenly body in which I might be holy and glorify you God. But first I believe you have heart work you desire to do in transforming me.

Lord I want to stand with my citizenship in heaven as a foreigner in this land. I want to love the people around me as Jesus did. Yet I ask you help set my heart on heaven that I would not find my identity, worth or value in people or anything in this life. For when my heart is right and set on you Christ I will have nothing to fear. For the worst pain in this life is not worth comparing to the joy and glory that will be revealed in us. 

Amen