This week I was leading my family in devotions over dinner time. It was on the topic of "Would you want to be in heaven if Jesus weren't there?". This was not only a great conversation and lesson for my four kids ages 10 and under, but also for my wife and I. Why is it exactly that we want to be in heaven?

When we first asked ourselves that question, we talked about being able to see grandparents in heaven, or that there wouldn't be any wars or bad things happening, or that we could finally see what so much of the Bible alludes to. Then we focused in on some Scripture to help remind us of Who we need to really be looking forward to seeing.

John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." Jesus wants us to experience what we were made for; to see Him and to now Him as He truly is. Jesus wants us to see how much God loves Him and what makes Him worthy of that love and honor.

Psalm 73:25-26 "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." There really should be NOTHING that we desire on earth more than Jesus.

Philippians 3:8 "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." The true aim in life is to know and gain Jesus.

Questions that we asked ourselves (and you can ask yourself as you reflect) are:

1. When you think about heaven, what are some of the things you look forward to?
2. What longings do you think Jesus will fulfill in heaven?
3. How can we nurture our longing for being with Jesus in heaven?