Heaven is bathed in the light of Christ. This reality should lead us to ask ourselves: “If I want to be with God for all eternity, why not start living with him today?”

Can you imagine someone courting and saying to their fiancee, “I love you and I want to be with you for all eternity – but I don’t really want to spend that much time with you for the next thirty years.”

If we want to be with God for all eternity why not start today? Why not make being with God the priority of our lives?

By definition, the church is a group of people who have chosen to live a Christ centered life. We understand that all the pleasures of this world are fleeting and do not (ultimately) fulfill; only being right with God can give us true fullness. It is in our relationship with our Risen Savior that we find spiritual fulfillment.

Of course, having a Christ centered life requires a concentrated effort on our part. The world we live in constantly presents us, and our loved ones, with messages that lead people away from God. Therefore, having Christ at the center of our lives can be difficult. It does not just happen; it happens as a result of conscious effort. When we want to be closer to anyone we must consciously seek to better our relationship with that person. It is the same with our relationship with God. We must make a concerted effort to keep God, and the things that are of God, foremost in our minds and hearts. While keeping focused on the things of the spirit can be a challenge in this fallen world, when we rise to meet the challenges we attain the heavenly riches.

On one Palm Sunday I asked a number of people if they were planning on attending the Holy Thursday Washing of the Feet service, (Vodnluva). A number of people told me they were not sure, they would have to check their calendars. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, usually, people who acquire worldly riches do so through careful long-term planning. Those who desire the riches of heaven, must similarly make a spiritual plan for their lives. Planning to attend church services, read the bible, pray, and do works of service, is vital to our spiritual development.

Why not develop a plan for your spiritual life, and for the spiritual life of your family? Why not make this generation in your family history the generation that decided to serve the Lord? You will not only bring tremendous blessings to your family, the spiritual legacy you create will also bless your ancestors from generation to generation.

Sometimes people think of the inheritance they will one day receive; money or property from their parents perhaps. But there is an even greater inheritance that parents have to leave their children, that of a spiritual inheritance. Make sure to create spiritual wealth for your children. For this will not only give them fullness in this life, but will grant them fullness for all eternity.

I encourage you to make a clear and well defined plan for your spiritual life. How often will you attend church? When will you read the bible? Will you commit to building the Kingdom of God on this earth – and if so, how? This is a year to make a plan, and to make a commitment. By actively planning to make Christ the center of your life, the center of your home, and your family will be richly blessed with spiritual wealth.