Escapism: Where Is Your Heart?

A few years ago I heard a story about a Pastor who held a survey of his members and congregation and asked them one question:
“If you had right beside you, a big red button installed in your chair and had the choice of either pushing and go to heaven instantaneously, or not pushing it and staying here on earth, what would you do?”
He noted the responses and came up with an interesting conclusion: The responses were split up almost evenly. Those who had been Christians for some time and were considered “mature”, wouldn’t hesitate to push the button and “go home”. The other half being recognized as “baby” Christians were hesitant in pushing the button and were more interested in living life a bit, having a family, career, etc., rather than going to heaven.
I remember how at that time, I concluded that if I had the chance, I would definitely take the opportunity and go home to heaven. I mean, who wouldn’t? After all, the choice is rather apparent. Well, yesterday, I heard God’s voice inside me say something out of the blue that caught me off guard. He asked me this very same question, “What would you do, Paul?”  Well I thought for a second, and my answer shocked me, because I knew how I answered that one before. I said,”Going to heaven, wouldn’t bring You any glory, it’s my walk and lifestyle and proclaiming the Gospel that is supposed to bring You glory, so I’d stay here to bring You glory.”
God, I felt was pleased with my response while I was still a little shocked. Once we go home to heaven we cannot proclaim the Gospel any further, we cannot be an example any further and our work is done for eternity.  However, here on earth, we can still guide, teach, exhort and bring others into the kingdom by our words and actions. I believe Paul reflected this when he was tossing up the two options and said it is better for YOU if I stay here.  Why? Because as I said above, once you are in heaven, the books are closed and your work is over. Paul knew he could be more effective here on earth. So if you who call yourself a follower of Jesus have your bags packed, waiting for the rapture are more concerned with ditching the party rather than working and growing and bringing glory to God, then all I say is shame on you.  A selfish Christian leaves a bad taste in God’s mouth just as much as a rank sinner. In fact, your supposed love for God should spurn you on to beg God for more time to accomplish what you know needs to be done through the direction and power of the Holy Spirit. There is no finality to the Christian life this side of eternity. Work as one runs a race with his competition breathing down his neck.  He knows if he lets up for a second, he’s lost the race.