Yesterday marked exactly one year since I moved to Providence. It has been a great year. I moved downtown into the Peerless Lofts on Westminster St. I really enjoy the bustle of urban life. There are countless things to do and interesting people to meet. I also love the fact that so many great restaurants and attractions are within walking distance. The ongoing beautification of our capital city makes it a joy to live here. I'm so glad to be here and excited to see how great our city is going to become. I really appreciate all the city leaders who are giving the best energy of their lives to make our city a better place.

But, having said that, I'm looking for a better city. I don't mean I want to move. I don't. I want to stay here – for now. But, as a Christian the city that I really can't wait to live in is the heavenly one. The Bible says of all true Christians – those who genuinely love and want to follow Jesus – For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come (Hebrews 13:14). In another verse it says, But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16). Like Abraham, Christians look for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).

While I love Providence, ultimately my hopes and dreams are not wrapped up here. This is only a temporary place for me. Jesus said to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3). This promise is the great anticipation of all Christians. While we desire and intend to be the best citizens and neighbors we can in whatever city we inhabit, our aspiration for what we do is not to leave a great legacy here, but to build up one there. We are not captivated by our houses, cars, careers, bank accounts, and retirement plans here, because what we value most, and our retirement plan is out of this world. This is temporary, that is eternal. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (II Corinthians 4:16-18).

What about you – what are you living for? Are you confident that you will have eternal life in heaven when your brief life on earth is done? Jesus says, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).