I could go out an buy the things I need, or I could unpack some of the suitcase. I really don't want to do either. I have invested time and energy in placing the things in the suitcase in a way that makes sense. Things fit. If I take something out, it will mess up my system.
But I need to keep living now and I need some of those things that are tucked away, ready for the flight.
The early followers of Jesus had a similar problem. The had heard Jesus' message and taken it to heart. He was going to return, and they felt it was very soon. So why, they asked, should we invest in our life in this world. Why should we work! Why should we marry or stay married! It will all be over so soon, that we need to just prepare for heaven. Every earthly pursuit is empty and worthless.
But then the years ticked by and Jesus didn't return in the expected time frame. They would have to live in light of His coming, but they still had to live a life here on earth. They had responsibilities to fulfill. And they needed to live in a way that honored Him, reflecting His glory to the world.
They had become so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good. Their lives weren't impacting their culture because they were withdrawing from it. They had their suitcases packed already, and they weren't willing to unpack enough to live. They were so prepared for heaven that their ability to live godly lives in Christ Jesus was restrained.
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. We must live. We can't let the election, or anything else for that matter, distract us from our primary function as Image-bearers. We need to allow the LORD to so permeate our lives that people see Him when they see us. We need to live holy lives. We can't let anything, including idleness stop us from this pursuit.
We live lives of dual focus. We are preparing for heaven while we live here on earth. We have our suitcase packed and ready to go, but we also live productive lives now.
Are you investing enough in heaven? Are you investing enough in life now? How do you figure out the balance?