Philippians is often called a "Book of Joy" as one of the most famous verses, 4:4, says, "Rejoice in the Lord always."which I always wondered how in the world we could "always" rejoice. Life is never easy, and it seems that there are more "tough times" than "rejoicable times." Often we pray and pray and pray and feel like God is not answering. Not all illness is healed. People lose job, health, loved ones, etc. That's life. Paul was also facing "death/execution" as he was in prison. How in such world can we "always" rejoice?
The answer is in "heaven." 3:20 says our citizenship is in heaven. Biblically speaking, we are not Americans nor Mexicans nor Koreans nor Japanese. We are Heavenese. And Paul says that time will come when Jesus is coming to take us home...to heaven.
Life on earth is hard. But life in heaven is far greater than the greatest life we can ever imagine.
It's like final exam before summer vacation. We have to study and study and study, and we feel like, "why do I have to go through all this?" But then we think of our summer vacation...traveling and hanging out with friends and sleeping in and all the fun stuff waiting for us. As we think what is waiting for us, we can endure a week of torture at school.
That's what "life on earth" is like. It's hard. It hurts. It's depressing. But we know that eternal vacation is just around the corner. Then as we think of it...we can rejoice. Rejoice the fact that this difficult season is just temporary. Rejoice the fact that Jesus is coming soon to take us to heaven...to our home. Yes, we are going home! Because we are Heavenese!