Heaven’s Version of Fixer Upper

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“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3

One of Satan’s strategies with us Christians is to get us to stop thinking about and longing for heaven.

Some current examples of this strategy are the materialists’ anthem by John Lennon, “Imagine,” and the old adage I sometimes hear Christians repeat, “He’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good,” both of which are greatly misleading.

The Bible says that focusing our attention on heaven is a primary way we develop holiness and separate ourselves from this ungodly and filthy world.

“Dear Friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

I quote all of this scripture – and I could quote much more – because I want us to see how critically important it is for us believers to have a clear vision of heaven and God and our savior and our loved ones, and to keep that vision constantly in mind.

One way I keep heaven in mind is to picture my future experience of it being like “the reveal” at the end of HGTV home remodeling shows like “Fixer Upper,” “Our Town,” and “Love It or List It.” The climax of these shows comes when the contractors escort the home owners through their front door and into their newly renovated home. Without exception, as they look around their transformed residence in gobsmacked amazement, they can’t believe it’s their home, it’s so beautiful.

Our first experience of heaven is going to be exactly like that. The reason we know this is because Jesus himself says, “I’m going to prepare a place for you.” And then he says he’s coming back to take us there.

In other words, Jesus himself is going to joyfully usher us through the door of our new eternal home that he himself lovingly made and tailored for us and show us around! I have no idea what our new homes will be like. But I do know they will be perfect for us, forever.

How cool is that, Chip and Joanna Gaines?

This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.

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