If you’ve been part of the Church for any length of time, you’ve probably encountered that person. You know, the one who gets on their knees and prays fervently for Jesus’ return — someone who can’t wait to be united with Him.
And let’s be honest, that person is almost always pushing 80. At least.
I used to brush these people off. Not out loud, of course—I’m cynical, but I’m not cruel. Silently, though? Oh yeah. I’d think: Well, sure, your body’s breaking down, you can’t make it through the night without a bathroom trip (or three), everything aches, and your fondest memories of this world are already a little foggy. Of course, you’re ready for heaven.
OK, maybe I am cruel.
But the truth is, you don’t hear many of my peers — or me, for that matter — praying like that. Yet when I read passages like 2 Peter 3:11–13, I can’t help but feel a little called out:
“Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along—the day when God will set the heavens on fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God.”
Are we, though? Are we actually looking forward to that day, or are we secretly hoping to keep this world around just a little longer?
Heaven or Sex? Let’s Be Honest.
If you’ve ever tried to “save sex for marriage,” you’ve probably prayed something like this: “Jesus, please don’t come back until after I have sex.”
Some people admit it. Others just think it. Either way, it’s a pretty universal sentiment.
Is it wrong? Not necessarily. But here’s the thing — once we get married, we just swap in a new “not yet” request: Jesus, please don’t come back until I have kids. Or until I visit Italy. Or buy that dream car. Or move into that house I’ve been saving for. Or see my career take off. Or walk my daughter down the aisle. Or spoil my grandkids.
We’re experts at finding reasons to keep Jesus on hold.
Let’s be real—most of us don’t want Jesus to come back yet. Heaven isn’t even close to the top of our wish list. If we’re being honest, we’d rather coast through life, check off our bucket lists, and die peacefully in our sleep at 90. Only then, after we’ve squeezed every last drop out of this world, would we be “ready” for eternity.
And when we’re feeling especially self-righteous, we justify our disinterest with excuses like: “What about my non-Christian friends? What about the people I’m mentoring? What about the homeless shelter I volunteer at?”
Sure, those are valid concerns. But if we really loved Jesus, shouldn’t that love drive our actions and stir a deep longing to be with Him? Shouldn’t we, like that 80-year-old with the creaky body, be yearning for the day we’re finally united with Christ?
If not, what does that say about us?
What’s Really on Your List?
1 John 2:15–17 says it plainly:
“Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you…This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.”
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: We’ve made this world way too comfortable. Jesus didn’t. He lived simply, loved deeply, and stayed laser-focused on His mission. He wasn’t worried about bucket lists, retirement accounts or whether the Wi-Fi signal was strong enough to stream the big game.
So where does heaven rank on your priority list? Is it just below “new iPad” and above “weekend trip to Nashville”? Or does it even make the list?
A Different Kind of Longing
I’m not saying we should feel guilty for wanting good things. Marriage, kids, travel, and stability aren’t inherently bad. But what if we flipped the script? What if our generation became known for prioritizing eternity over everything else? What if we actually lived like this world isn’t our home?
Imagine the message that would send to people around us. A generation that’s more interested in Jesus than dream vacations or 401(k)s would stand out — especially in a world obsessed with instant gratification and materialism.
If we don’t feel that longing now, maybe it’s time to ask God to give it to us. Because a desire for heaven doesn’t just change how we pray — it changes how we live.
Or, you know, we could just add it to next year’s resolutions.