Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
Let me paint a picture of eternity using our secular jobs. If you are a government worker that deserves to be promoted to the highest level in office, say level 17 but due to bureaucratic bottle-neck in the office, they couldn't effect the promotion. Instead, they came up with an option of promotion with transfer. Knowing full well that at the new level, you are entitled to certain benefits like a well furnished four bedroom flat, an official car with a driver and higher basic salary that you would be paid for life even after retirement. Those benefits doesn't apply to your present level except you accept the promotion on the condition that they transfer you to another office, please what would you do? Before answering, I know you will accept the transfer gladly because the new level is a terminal level where you can enjoy the best in civil service. I am sure many of us won't think twice about it because it is a better offer.
When believers sleep in the Lord, they get promoted to a new level with better allowances and benefits that can never be reversed. That's why we shouldn't mourn the departed hopelessly. In matters of eternity, getting a transfer from here to our eternal home is better than being here. Apostle Paul knew about the glories of heaven because he was caught up in a revelation to the third heavens where he heard mysteries mouth cannot utter, 2Cor12:1-4. Having had a fore taste of glory, he told the Philippian church that it was much better to depart and be with Christ than to be here on earth. He repeated the same thing in 2 Corinthians 5:8, ' we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord'. Paul referred to being in heaven as being at home with the Lord. He didn't stop there, he said he preferred to be there in his heavenly home and to be absent from his body. If there was anything that made Paul to stay beyond the time he made those statements , it was because he had not completed his assignment that point in time.
We must see the matter of eternity differently so that we can appreciate what God has planned for us. Morris Cerrulo told his audience in a meeting that If he sleeps in the Lord, no one should pray to wake him up. He was talking from the standpoint of a man that had a similar revelation to that of Paul. He knew that up there is better. Heaven shouldn't just be a word on our lips but a lasting experience we long to have. It is not a fiction when Christ said he was going to prepare a place for us, John14:1. Your going home is worth the preparation and your life daily must reflect your eternal focus to see Christ just as he is.
Father, I receive grace to be conscious of my Heavenly home and to live in readiness for it daily In Jesus name.