To Be A Pilgrim

"These all [Abel, Abraham, Sarah, Enoch etc...] died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is,

they desire a better country,

that is, a heavenly one.

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God,

for he has prepared for them a city."

Hebrews 11

Paired with losing my life and seeing death as gain,

this "Pilgrim" mentality-if you will- is something that I've been pondering on lately.

Is "a heavenly country" what I desire?

Or am I too caught up in the cares (both good and bad) of this life?

It's so easy for me to keep my head down and wind myself up in the day to day details, the ever important "need of the moment"! This passage has been an inspiring reminder to me that this life is not all that there is, and that there is such an unimaginable city already prepared. That is part of what makes death truly a gain.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the blessings and pleasures here! The joys of family and the fellowship of believers is such a dear and sweet thing to me!

However, I do find myself in need of reminders that this is not all there is.

There are some more thoughts I have on this, but they will have to keep for now--

at least until I can get them better organized!