Hebrews 11:15-16–If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
A friend of mine asked me to help him navigate embracing what the Lord is convicting him of.  I believe he has a better answer for that than I can give him, because only we can answer what we’re worried about in leaving comfort over God’s call for us to step out on faith..
I believe it’s healthy to examine ourselves, by asking what is keeping me from focusing on God and doing His will?  The writer in Hebrews says that the people who walked by faith weren’t thinking about the land they left, which is key.  Because as long as I focus on what I left behind, I allow it to compete with what I am convicted to do, so I don’t move at all but “shrink back”…(Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 10:37-39)
The key was their focus on relationship with the Lord through faith, not the destination nor what they left behind.  For example, you can be on a beautiful vacation in a villa, but if the relationship is miserable it ruins it.  In contrast, you may be with someone you adore, and stay in a studio apartment for the weekend and have a much better time than the other couple!  Because it’s really about the relationship and where it’s presently at…(Hebrews 13:5-6)
The point is that the people who lived by faith in Christ, were experiencing what no other place could give them, the joy of relationship with the Lord!  It is this joy, that pushes us beyond the nostalgia of our past, into the unknown future. Ultimately what helps us fight against our “old places” where attitudes, habits, and comfort abound, is that Christ’s presence is not there, and we miss the relationship…(Nehemiah 8:10, 2 Corinthians 3:17)
The “better country” that the passage refers to is where God dwells, and we know eternally that is heaven.  But also in us, as we allow the Holy Spirit to rule in our hearts, and challenge us each time we return to our old ways.  It’s a constant war, where our flesh wants an opportunity to “go back”, and the Holy Spirit convicts us to let go by faith.  So keep fighting the good fight in directing your hearts to the love of God to walk by faith!  (John 6:27, Galatians 5:16-18)
In His Love Ld