“we have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1b (NLT)
Day 26: Home #writetogether31days
This is one of my favorite places. It’s the halfway point between my house and my mom’s so I stay here often. It’s kinda funny though, when I check in on my way up, the clerk will ask where I’m headed. So, I say, “Home to Michigan.” But then, when I’m traveling back and she asks, I reply, “Home to West Virginia.”
Born in Michigan, it is also where I spent my teenage years and went to college. I still have family and friends there who I visit whenever I can. I moved to West Virginia for my first teaching job. That was 41 years ago. I have family and friends here who I do everyday life with.
So where is home? Is it where we’re from? Or, is it where we are?
I’ve lived in several homes in my lifetime. There are treasured memories, assorted stories, and achieved milestones attached to each one. I’ve loved them all and yet, this subtle feeling of being a little out of place, a bit of discontent, a longing for something else has always been present. You too? I’ve learned and I sometimes still need to be reminded that as Christians, we’re supposed to feel this way because the truth is, for us, Home is where we’re going.
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.”
Hebrews 13:14 (NLT)
“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)
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NLT)
I don’t know about you, but there are days that I stand and look up to Heaven saying, “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” And of course, there are times when I plead for just a bit longer here on this earth. We don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t need to, but we are supposed to be ready for the move.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
John 14:1-3 (NLT)
Where is home? Here in the world, it’s with the ones we love, but one day we will be Home with the One who loves us into eternity. So, maybe the next time someone asks me where I’m headed I’ll smile and say, “Home to Heaven.” What a day of rejoicing that will be!
