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There is a current country music song on the radio entitled "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" which if you simply read the title would sound like a good enough song. However, the song goes on to say repeatedly in the chorus, "But nobody want to go now" (yes, "want" is correct, remember it’s a country song). Now granted this may sound somewhat similar to Paul’s statement of conflict in Philippians 1:23-24 when he writes to the church in Philippi, "23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." Yet, the sentiments of the song are far different than the emotion of Paul’s statement to his church family in Philippi that he dearly cared for.
In the country song, the reasons for staying here on earth are, "I ain’t ready" and "I’m havin` fun down here," both of which do not show the priority and concern of Paul’s outlook. Instead, Paul’s ambivalence stems from his love and concern for the need the church, Christ’s kingdom, has for his service, teaching, and edification. While God wants us to live a happy life physically here on earth and desires for us to enjoy our physical life here on earth, His ultimate concern is that we live a spiritually stanch and influential life; live a life that is as Paul put it, "needful" (Philippians 1:24).
Are you living a life that is"needful" one that is leading others to the truth of God’s word and the plan of salvation? Are you being "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" that Christ tells us we are in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew? (Matthew 5:13-16). If not, why not? Remember that as a Christian, you have a "treasure," the Gospel of Christ and you need to be both living and sharing that "treasure" with everyone you come in contact with (II Corinthians 4:7). If you truly live the Gospel of Christ and are constantly sharing the Gospel of Christ, you will ultimately be ready to leave this world and join your Heavenly Father when your life is over and will have lived an abundant life, a "needful" life (John 10:10, Philippians 1:24).
So, be cautious not to fall into the mindset of the country song, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" not feeling as though you have truly lived, have not had enough fun, or have not gotten ready to leave this world, but instead, fill your mind with the hopeful and vibrant words of the timeless hymn, "This World Is Not My Home," that proclaims, "This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thro’" and "...I can’t feel at home in this world [earth] anymore," and hopefully, yes hopefully you too, like Paul can feel torn and betwixt going home to God in Heaven and continuing to live a fruitful life of service, teaching, and edification here on earth that is "needful" for the lost and dying world. Just a thought...
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