Our First Night Home

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  

Colossians 3:1

I have a hero, and her name is Rika. She has a neuromuscular disorder that has relegated her to bed for more than 15 years. She’s a constant source of encouragement to me, and always she tries to lighten my own hardships by pointing my eyes to heaven. Colossians 3:1 is a favorite for Rika: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”

Rika knows that earthly suffering can only be understood and embraced through the lens of heaven, a place where every pain and wince and groan and tear that you lay at Christ’s feet will be gloriously rewarded. Samuel Rutherford says, “As we look back to our suffering, we shall see that [it’s] not worthy to be compared to our first night’s welcome home in heaven.” He and Rika are right. If you’re hurting – I’m sure you are –  set your heart on heaven.