By Michael Kelley

What is the destination of the Christian life? 

“Heaven, of course!” we would probably say. That’s where we’re going. That’s our trajectory. This train is after all bound for glory, this train . . .

But let’s not be too quick to answer that question. Or at least let’s not answer it without thinking about it. It’s true, heaven is where we’re headed. That’s where Jesus is now, and thank God, He’s preparing a place for us there, too (John 14:2-3). Once we are Christians, heaven is our true home, and we live in this world as strangers and aliens (1 Peter 2:11). Heaven is where death is swallowed up into life. Where justice is fully served. Where God’s reign is perfectly realized without exception.

In heaven, there’s no more need for Kleenexes. Or chemotherapy. Or funeral processions. Or good-bye’s. It’s where the streets are paved with gold and the eternal worship of a multitude of Christ-followers rings for all eternity.

Sounds pretty good.

But are all those attributes, good as they are, really what makes heaven heaven? The answer, maybe surprisingly, is no. Or at least, not exactly. Much like the reason why hell is hell is because it’s the realm where God is not, the reason why heaven is heaven is because it’s the realm where God is most fully realized.

Paul pointed to this reality in 1 Corinthians 13:12:

“For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.”

Amazing.

How fully known are we from God’s perspective? He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He knows our deepest thoughts and motivations, and they are laid bare before Him. He knows us, in fact, better than we know ourselves. He knows our past, present, and future. God knows us completely. Fully. Without exception.

No matter how hard we seek after the Lord here on earth, we will always see a refracted image of Him. The image will always be in some way distorted by our humanity. But in heaven? No distortions. Perfect and complete intimacy with God Almighty.

And that’s why heaven is heaven. It’s not the golden streets or the dried up tears. It’s not the reunion with relatives or the eternal worship services. Heaven is heaven because heaven is where we will really experience the fullness of joy that comes from knowing God. Jesus, too, pointed to this reality in John 17:3 when He described, in succinct form, what eternal life really is:

“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent —Jesus Christ.”

That wonderful, unfiltered, perfect knowledge and intimacy of God is the essence of heaven. Our destination as Christians isn’t so much to a place; it’s to God Himself.

If indeed our destination is God, for He is the reason heaven is heaven, then the journey there begins in this life. It begins with practicing His presence in the here and now, seeking hard after the knowledge of Him. Becoming more intimate with Him each passing moment of each passing day. 

Part of that process is turning our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection upon the realities of heaven. Paul especially was concerned that we think about heavenly things. He wrote in Colossians 3:1-3: “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.”

So here are a few reasons I see profit in spending regular time dwelling on heaven’s realities:

1. To keep us from loving our stuff.

There’s no trailers behind hearses; there’s no pockets in funeral suits. Heaven is better anyway, so do I really need a new shirt?

2. To provide hope.

God knows we need it. That’s what Paul did in Romans 8 – he held up his sufferings, which were quite alot, and said that the glory waiting for us makes these light afflictions pale in comparison.

3. To motivate us to action.

Heaven is a place where the rule of God is recognized fully and completely. And we are supposed to pray, and act, in such a way as to bring God’s will about on earth as it is in heaven. If we spent time thinking about how things will be, then we can be moved to change the way things are.

4. To remind us just who we’re dealing with.

C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory reminded us that “You have never talked to a mere mortal. It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.” Dwelling on heaven makes us realize the importance of the people around us. They are immortal, and they should be treated with respect and dignity.

Let’s dwell on what waits for us in faith. And little by little, we’ll see ourselves transformed into the kind of people who put away the things of the earth because of our overwhelming confidence in the greatness of God—that He is better than all else.

Michael Kelley is a husband, father of three, author, and speaker from Nashville, TN. His latest book is a year-long family devotional guide called The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Find his personal blog at michaelkelley.co.