Looking for Lesser Heaven

    Our BSF leader, whose name always escapes me, (it's the same as mine) pointed out that thoughts of heaven are not as comforting to those of us who are already comfortable as to those enduring persecution.  Guilty as charged.  I was disappointed to learn my mentality hasn't changed all that much from my when I first learned about the Lord's return as a teenager.  I didn't want Jesus to come back then because I wanted to experience getting a driver's license, getting married, SEX, children.  The good thing is that I wanted those things in that order, the bad thing is that I wanted those experiences more than heaven.  Ironically, the God of the universe has given me love gifts and I have fallen in love with the gifts instead of the giver, like a woman who values her wedding ring more than her husband.  I am more ready for heaven now only because, except for having grandchildren, I have experienced most of the things on my to do list. 
     Part of the problem is that I still have a wrong view of heaven.  I picture myself in heaven occasionally glimpsing Jesus in the crowd, but never really having one on one time with him.  Sure he chose me, died on the cross for me, sought me out when I wasn't looking for him and beat me up with his Holy Spirit until I couldn't stand it anymore and got saved, but I'm still not sure there will be enough time in eternity for us to do lunch.  The other part of the problem is that I have a wrong view of the earth, I'm just a tourist here, my home is elsewhere.  My house is actually nothing more than a large suitcase that will be confiscated when I check out.  The lot it sits on is not our real estate, it is land leased from the true owner.  My "real estate" is in heaven, given to me by my adopted dad.  It is sight unseen only because no picture could do it justice and the temptation to check in early might make me do something stupid.  I am looking for a lesser heaven because I am looking around, not up.  I wouldn't pay extra money for a first class seat on a one hour flight when I knew I had a free, infinite upgrade when I reached reached my accommodations.  This life, however many years we have, is the short hop of an infinite journey, I don't want to waste it looking for a better seat.