A lot of Gospel music describes Heaven. While the songs describe looking forward to Heaven, do our lives reflect this desire? We sing about Heaven, but our thoughts and priorities focus on building wealth and retirement accounts for use here on earth. We may say words of longing for Heaven, but given the choice to leave today at this moment, I'm sure that some of use would have a little trouble putting down all of our "worldly" things and leaving for eternity with God. 

Perhaps, some of this comes from our upbringing. To some people, singing songs about Heaven is a lazy approach to being a believer. Rock singer, Bono explains how this was one of his biggest turn-offs to the church--believers sitting around singing about heaven when there is so much work here to do on earth. 

Yes, it is true that there are many dead churches filled with ineffective believers who sing songs but never live their beliefs, but I think focusing on Heaven is what every believer should be doing.

We should serve here on earth--do the Lord's work so that all can hear the truth that Jesus is Lord. But, we should not do this work as if this is our purpose. Our purpose is to glorify and worship the Lord. This is most effectively done in Heaven. We need to worship and glorify here on earth serving and witnessing, but that is our short-term assignment. 

Our long-term assignment is Gloryland! 

Think about Heaven a lot and ask yourself if you truly see that this time on earth is only a temporary existence until we're together in Heaven with our Lord. Then, go out and make sure everyone you know and meet hears this good news so they too will spend eternity in Gloryland.

Just Over In the Gloryland
Emmet S. Dean and James W. Acuff

Chorus 1
Just over in the glory land
I'll join the happy angel band
Just over in the glory land
Just over in the glory land
There with the mighty host I'll stand
Just over in the glory land

Verse 1
I've a home prepared where the saints abide
Just over in the glory land
There to sing God's praise and His glory share
Just over in the glory land

Verse 2
I am on my way to those mansions fair
Just over in the glory land
And I long to be by my Savior's side
Just over in the glory land

Verse 3
With a joyful song I will shout and sing
Just over in the glory land
Glad hosannas to Christ the Lord and King
Just over in the glory land

When We All Get to Heaven
Eliza Edmunds Stites Hewitt and Emily D. Wilson

Chorus 1
When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We'll sing and shout the victory

Verse 1
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing His mercy and His grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place

Verse 2
While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky
But when traveling days are over
Not a shadow not a sigh

Verse 3
Let us then be true and faithful
Trusting serving every day
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay

Verse 4
Onward to the prize before us
Soon His beauty we'll behold
Soon the pearly gates will open
We shall tread the streets of gold

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