Awaiting the Eternal City

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

(NEW: You can now listen to today’s MY Devotional on Leading The Way’s daily devotional podcast!)

An ambassador lives in a city that is not his home. While he may love his neighbors, appreciate aspects of their culture, and find a measure of happiness in his post, he knows that he is not really home.

No matter where you live, if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are not really home either. Your home is heaven and your current assignment in this world is to be Christ’s ambassador, as though God were making His appeal through you (see 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Read Hebrews 13:14. Like any ambassador, your primary job is to represent your homeland well. Your homeland, heaven, has a message for the residents of the City of Man: “Accept the free offer of salvation made possible by Jesus Christ and His death on the cross—before it’s too late!”

Sadly, we often forget that this world is not our home. Even the godliest among us can allow the problems and pleasures of this earthly life to steal our focus from heaven. We become so concerned about the cares of this world that we make business plans, life plans, and retirement plans as though we are going to live forever.

The Scripture is clear: Only what you give to the Lord in this life will be waiting for you on the other side (see Matthew 16:27). Where we invest our time, money, and energy is an indication of our focus, and too often we have our hearts set on the City of Man rather than the City of God.

The early church lived and worked to glorify the name of God in this life because they were looking forward to the next. They planned for heaven and eternity. Their priority was holiness; ours is happiness. Their priority was sacrificing for God; ours is self-satisfaction. They measured success with an eternal perspective; ours is measured by how much we can accumulate.

True joy comes only to those who keep their eyes fixed on the City of God. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

Prayer: Father, help me to keep my heart and mind set on eternity with You. May my heavenward gaze serve to align my daily routine and priorities with Your Kingdom. And may I have eyes to see how I can serve You and love others as Your ambassador in this world. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon How Shall We Live Now?, Part 5: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
View All


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