Bible Study

Living the Mission: Why Heaven Is the Reward, Not the Goal

The other day I read a devotional that echoed something profound my dear friend Dionne shared via text. It struck deep—clear confirmation from the Spirit. She wrote:

“I get revelations here and there, and I just realized that our main focus is not the new heaven and new earth, but to stand on Yah’s Word, live a life of the character of Yah, and minister, through Love, to others… Many hide themselves to do right for only them, but He called us to be the example of His Love (His character), for Yah is Love. Love is an action of selfless Love.”

This truth is more than just a revelation—it’s a realignment.

Too often, we hear people say, “I’m just trying to make it to heaven.” While there’s nothing wrong with longing for the promise of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1, HCSB), when that becomes our sole focus, we miss the mission. Heaven is not the goal—it’s the reward. Our purpose is to walk in Yah’s character today.

Scripture reminds us:
“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22, HCSB

Living for Yah is not just about waiting—it’s about walking. Daily. Actively. In love. That’s what Dionne meant when she said, “Love is an action of selfless Love.” It reflects 1 John 4:8 (HCSB):
“The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

We don’t love, serve, and live holy just for a future reward—we do it so that others may come to know Him too. Yah’s character in us removes blinders from those around us.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 (HCSB):
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

That’s what Dionne was pointing to when she referenced the parable of the talents (Matthew 25). The one who buried his talent out of fear or selfish motivation missed the point. We were never meant to hide the light. We’re called to use what He gave us—to multiply it in others through love, service, and truth.

But what about those who still have blinders on?

This is hard. We speak, we love, we model—but they can’t see. And yet, Yah reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:6 (HCSB):
“For God who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness’—He has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.”

It is not our job to open eyes—it is His. But it is our job to reflect His light with consistency, humility, and selfless love. That’s how the blinders fall—one act of love at a time.

So today, I’m choosing not to just “hold on to get to heaven,” but to live out His Word, to be His hands and heart to a blind and hurting world. Because the reward is beautiful—but the mission is now.

Question for reflection:
Are you living for the reward—or letting Yah’s character in you be the reason others want to know Him?