“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or–worse!–stolen by burglars.  Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.   It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Matthew 6:19-21 (The Message)

The opening track of David Crowder’s CD “Collision” begins with what sounds like a scratched, static-laden vinyl recording of a bluegrass gospel song.  The lyrics that ring out through the poor quality recording are unmistakable, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die!”  The songwriter surely understood this tension in life, and the Lord has used him to push on me quite a bit!

For much of my life, I grew up believing that “accepting Jesus as my Savior” meant that one day I would go to heaven when I died.  The problem I think that created for me subconsciously was that the significance of such an event could only be understood in terms of death, and rightfully so.  However, when as an adult I repented and turned in faith to Jesus, this same idea was reinforced through many Bible commentaries I read and Bible studies I attended.  The question that seemed to swell within my soul was, “So what!!?”  In many ways, I struggled with the notion that there was nothing more to do but wait, but I didn’t want to die, so I began studying the Bible concerning the return of Christ hoping it would happen before I croaked!

In the course of studying the prophecies of Christ’s return, I began to understand that Jesus is going to judge His followers on the basis of how they lived and used the resources He entrusted them.  Then, it all began to make sense, and something strange began to happen.  I began to live as if everything in this present life impacted my future in heaven.  Time, money, house, and other resources became materials for blessing the One who is my hope, and for building up treasure in the coming age.  The sacrifice of time and money became a pleasure exceeded only by the joy resulting from anticipating future reward in heaven!

To be honest, my life has included, and still promises, a good share of difficulty, pain, suffering, and confusion.  The thought of death is still scary, and the promise of Christ’s return is still exhilarating.  But the difference Jesus makes in my life today is that I can thank Him for all of it.  He is teaching me more each day how to hold the stuff of this life loosely, the people I encounter more closely, and the desire to “go home” more passionately.

So, what do you think?  Are you living like earth, or heaven, is your home?  Do you think it makes a difference?