Recently I flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma to spend a few days with my sister. It was wonderful to spend time with her, but travel is always fraught with inconvenience and uncertainty. Changes in routine are the point of leaving home but can still be unsettling.
Problems begin with the flight, especially these days. I’ve booked several trips recently that were cancelled and rebooked by the airlines, including some that wanted to leave me in Sacramento instead of Austin where my trip would have originated and where I really need to return. So, there is always the question of whether the flight will even happen. Once you arrive at the airport, the next big question is, when will your plane actually depart and will you be able to make the connection? What crazy new security measure will be awaiting you at the TSA gates? (Have you been sniffed by the dogs yet?)
My sister was in the middle of her own disruptions as she is remodeling her kitchen. Promised the arrival of her cabinets months ago, she dutifully demolished the room, expecting a beautiful new space in short order. Not happening. In the few days I was there, she got notice of additional delays. Extra family and extra dogs added layers of chaos.
Is it any wonder that, the morning after my return, I woke up and looked around with a sigh, “Home!”
Home is such a lovely place to be! The environment is tailor-made for you and your preferences. Home is safety and security. It is peaceful. The people and stuff you love most are there. Once you are home, you can relax…you’ve reached your destination.
Of course, our earthly domiciles have their problems, but as Christians, we have the promise of a perfect home. Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for me so that I can be with Him forever (John 14:2-3) in a home created just for me. The KJV states, “my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
As followers of Christ, we are on a journey through alien territory on our way to the joys of Home. There are several scriptures that explain why we are restless in this world. Just a few:
- But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.(Philippians 3:20 NLT).
- For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands (2 Corinthians 5:1 NLT).
- For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14 NLT).
Feeling this delight and relief at being home and realizing that my own house is nothing compared to the home that Jesus is preparing for me gave me thought of two groups that need our compassion and help: those who are homeless in this world and those who don’t know Jesus. Some of those living in the streets around your town and mine have the hope of an Eternal Home, but how many who live in multi-million-dollar mansions won’t have the comforts of a Heavenly Abode? Most of us will make some kind of a “home” wherever we find ourselves, even if it is the sidewalk, it seems. How much more urgent to help people understand the need to lay up treasures for their permanent dwelling?
Sometimes this world feels as if we are on an endless trip, our luggage lost long ago. But take heart! We won’t be stuck in the airport forever! The day is surely coming when this plane will take to the sky to meet our Lord and He will take us Home!
Blessings!
Cool Like Christ 