I love the wisdom of older Christians. They have a wonderful point of view about life. Recently, a “senior saint” told me, “Scott, I spend a lot more time thinking about the here-after.” Before I could reply with any words of comfort, he continued, “I walk in to a room and ask myself, ‘what am in here after?'” (queue rim shot on snare drum).

His words beg the questions:

1. What are you here after?  In other words, what are you living for? Are you out for self or selfish gain? Are you living for notoriety? Or . . . Are you living life to leave the world a better place for others? Are you living life as a light in a dark world? Are you living life for and in Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us that to “live in Christ” and that “Christ is your life.” (Phil 1:21, Col 3:4). Jesus asks, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in return for his soul?” (Mar 8:36-37).
2. Are you thinking about The Here After? The gospel classic says, “This world in not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. . .” Can you sing these words from an honest heart? Do you take time during your day or during the week to think about heaven? Are you living life in expectation of that reward. Again the words of the apostle Paul have bearing on this thought, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14). Do you long for the home that Jesus describes, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (Joh 14:2-3)? 

Take time today to think about what you are here after and what is after here.

-Scott