Let Heaven Fill Your Thoughts

Colossians 3:1,2    “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.”
Some years back I was at a bible study and we were talking about heaven.  I made the comment that I didn’t think much of heaven.  Well that got everyone laughing, the way I said it, it came across as my saying that heaven was not all that great.
Didn’t think much of heaven, isn’t that where most of us find ourselves.  We are so busy with the day to day aspects of our lives that thoughts of heaven rarely enter or minds let alone “fill our thoughts.”  How that changes as we grow old and death and heaven seem a little more real.  I went to visit a elderly friend the other day.  In our conversation we  talked of heaven.  I reminded her of what she said a couple years before, “Heaven, I can’t wait.  I am looking forward to it.”  I remarked how her face glowed as she said it.  She said, “I start talking to people about death and heaven and they want me to stop, they don’t want to talk about it.”  Death? heaven? Not now, not today.
Throughout Paul’s letters he urges us to talk about death and what awaits us afterwards.  To not think about, talk or share with others the reality of heaven, is to not share the heart of the gospel of Christ.  Paul says this, “And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians, who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died. ---16-18 First all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.   Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever.  So comfort each other with these words.”    1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 & 16-18
Jesus said,  “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.”  This is good news, heaven is real, let it fill your thoughts, preach it to everyone.