2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

From a materialistic standpoint, this verse is absolutely astounding. Peter has just been talking about the destruction of the world by fire, and here he talks about “looking forward expectantly” and “inner peace!” This should show us how far we need to go in having our values and priorities readjusted by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, the vast majority of people, including Christians, are in love with the world. (1 John 2:15) That’s one reason they are afraid of death, because it means leaving behind everything in the world. When our hearts are fixed on the material, it’s hard to appreciate the spiritual, however much better and more glorious it might be. That’s not to say we aren’t to enjoy and appreciate the world around us, but it is to say that God’s kingdom and His righteousness must be a higher priority, just as Jesus said. (Matthew 6:33) We experience many things as loss, and it is painful. Our goal should be to be able to say with Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

I can’t say I’m totally there yet! However, I can say that the longer I walk with the Lord here, the more I look forward to being with Him in eternity. Analyzing my feelings, I think I can say honestly that I fully look forward to the end result, but it’s the process of getting there that I get a little anxious about. Shakespeare had Hamlet refer to “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” Sometimes I really do get tired of all the junk we wade through at times, but at the same time it is all a learning experience of the faithfulness of God. In times of severe persecution, such as Peter experienced, the end of it all is certainly something to look forward to expectantly! I’m reminded of the youngest of the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki who, when told which cross was to be his, ran and embraced it. With all he had been through in his 12 years, heaven seemed very attractive indeed, even if getting there might involve a bit more pain. I am not to denigrate the time I have here, however many years that might be, but at the same time I’m not to cling to anything in this world. My goal should be to take as many with me to heaven as possible, whether we get there individually or whether the Lord returns for us all together.

Father, my priorities seem to be somewhat on-again-off-again, and that’s not good. Thank You for the Word You spoke through me in the service yesterday. Help me apply it fully, indeed loving You above all and loving those around me as I love myself, on a very practical level. Help me desire people’s salvation enough to make whatever effort is called for, being totally available to Your Spirit for leading them to repentance and faith. Help me operate with prayer being as much of a priority as it should be, so that I may stand firm against all the deceptions of the enemy, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!