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Not long ago, one of my favorite uncles succumbed to a long-term disease.

We had watched this once strong and athletic man wither for years. When the Hospice nurse told him he was in congestive heart failure and didn’t have much longer to live, he whispered, “That is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” He was so thrilled that he would soon meet his Savior. He sent a message to his many nieces and nephews: “I pray that you will all know the peace I now have because Jesus conquered death!”

When I was young, I did not understand the concept of longing for heaven. Intellectually, I knew heaven was better than earth, but I still had things I wanted to experience before I went. I wanted to get married, have children, be a missionary, and travel the world. As I got older and accomplished those things, I found none satisfied me. I began to understand what the Bible was talking about.

Yet at times, I still look to external, earthly things to soothe my longings and fill my soul. Maybe we wonder, Would I be more satisfied with a better income? If I could afford a vacation, would I have more peace? Would my life be better if the world was less chaotic and confusing?

Many temporary things can distract us from focusing on eternity and God. It’s easy to immerse ourselves in these distractions instead of spending time with Him and getting to know the One with whom we will spend forever.

I wonder what it would be like if we lived every day as if we were on our deathbed—if we could peer beyond all the chaos of this world and set our sights on heaven.

Make it a point to wake up daily declaring that Jesus has conquered death. Because of that, you live.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and NoName_13.)