Setting an eternal goal: A place reserved for you in heaven
“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
We hear a lot of talk about goals and setting goals. We are encouraged to set goals for our work life, our personal life, our physical fitness and our mental fitness. Some goals we set are short-term, some are more long-term.
One area in which we have likely heard very little about is setting eternal goals. So what are your 
eternal goals? Better yet, what is your one eternal goal?
Our Bible verse this week reminds us of what God’s eternal goal is for each one of us and for each person in the entire history of the world – heaven.
Ever since the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, God’s goal for each human being has been to restore the perfection in which he created mankind. God went to great lengths to achieve that goal. He had his Son assume our human flesh and live a perfect life in our place. God then had his Son die an innocent death via the Roman means of execution – crucifixion to pay for our sins so we could be forgiven and stand innocent before God. God’s goal in all of this was to ensure we could reach heaven.
That is what our Bible verse this week is all about – heaven. Jesus’ own words tell us that his goal is to return to his Father’s throne in heaven and prepare a place for us in heaven. Think about that: The goal of God’s work was to give you a place reserved in heaven with your name on it. More than that, Jesus promised us that after he prepared a place especially for us in heaven, he will return and personally escort us to our perfect new home in heaven.
Is that your eternal goal? Is your goal to one day be freed from all the trouble and effects of sin in this world and enjoy an eternity of perfection in God’s presence? That is God’s goal for you and for every single human being.
It is so easy to get distracted as we strive to attain each of our goals in this world in every area of our life. The devil tries to derail us from reaching our eternal goal of heaven. Stay close to God through his Word. Pray for God’s strengthen and guidance to work through the distractions and the temptations. Remember Jesus’ promise to personally prepare a special place for you in heaven and then come back and take you to enjoy heaven for all eternity.
What a goal to work on and focus on – to reach heaven where one day we can all perfectly praise God for all eternity!