City Dweller

 For there is no city here on earth that will last forever. We are looking for the one that is coming. Hebrews 13:14 (NLV)

She ran into the sub shop to pick up dinner and quickly reemerged with said dinner in hand. Preoccupied,

she walked back to her friend's car, opened the door, and got in. Only it wasn't her friend's car!  

My mom got into the car of a complete stranger – while he was still in there!

Meanwhile, her friend is in the next car doubled over the steering wheel laughing hysterically as she watched this all unfold!

This funny scenario got me to thinking...

When preoccupied with the trials of this life, do you ever overlook the promise of the life to come?

I know for me when the realities of living in a fallen world knock on my door and threaten my comfortable living, I certainly don't think beyond this life. 

I most definitely don't look for the city that is coming either (Hebrews 13:14).

Instead, I look for my circumstances to change so I can be comfortable in my current "city."   

Yes, I put my comfort above my citizenship, which is in Heaven. 

Only recently have I been convicted of this. 

I've always known that's what I do, but God has been showing me that it's time to stop doing that. 

I've been asking Him to show me how I can stop and He's been faithful to do just that.  

The first thing He has shown me is that all the things in my life that I feel are falling apart are actually falling into place. 

Read that again!

Because I am God's and scripture tells me that in Christ I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), those things that seem like they are falling apart are actually making me into that new creation.

Through the "falling apart", God is ridding me of those things that hinder me from becoming who He has created me to be; ultimately making me fit for Heaven by making me more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).

Turns out that not only don't you go to heaven on roller skates 'cause you'd roll right past those pearly gates (thank you VeggieTales!), we don't go to Heaven in our current state. 

Friends, there is an eternal city coming that God is lovingly preparing us for now through the very things that seem like they're going to kill us, but in the end they are breathing new life into us so that we are fit to be city dwellers with Christ. 

I don't love city life, but the city to come is life!