Hebrews 11:15-16 KJV And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

At last years men’s retreat, several of us went on an ATV ride during one of the free times. We were having a wonderful time when it started pouring rain. This made for an amazing time in the mud. After all, what could be better at bringing out that inner boy than splashing in the mud with an ATV! Everything was going so well until one of our guys snapped the valve stem off his ATV’s wheel. Immediately, all the air went out of the tire. There he was, stuck with a completely flat tire, without a spare or anything with which to fix it. We were stuck several miles from the trailer. Few things are worse than feeling stuck!

As bad as it can be, whether on a men’s retreat or traveling for business, it’s even worse if you get stuck spiritually. You have probably experienced this at some time in your life. In the middle of a difficult circumstance, bitterness and disappointment take root and cause you to be stuck in the mud of discouragement, or perhaps someone close to you hurts you with actions or words. Instead of turning the other cheek, you get stuck in a fight that feels like it is only pulling you in deeper with each passing minute. There is always the sticky pit of unconfessed sin that will completely overwhelm you over time.

When I read Hebrews 11, I love that I am reading about real people! They were living in a world like yours and mine. While reading this chapter, notice that they refused to get stuck in the disappointing and discouraging things of life. What was it about them that allowed this to take place? What I noticed was they had their mind set on this fact: they were strangers in a strange land. This was not their home. They knew that something greater awaited them! Because of that, no one or nothing prevented them from keeping their eye on the prize. We see this in the verses we read, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly.”

So, the next time someone’s actions or words cause you to feel stuck, or the next time life gives you an excuse to blow up, remember who you are and where you’re headed. There isn’t a person or thing in your life that is worth getting stuck for! You’re headed home. Nothing compares to heaven!