The other morning I was sitting in my normal spot on top of a water tank looking out on the mountains, and trying to stay warm in the cool Honduran air. A thought came into my mind about the joy that will be felt on the day I arrive back home and get to be with my family face to face. Its not that I don't want to be on this trip, its just that I eagerly look forward to that day, I miss my family.
In that moment God placed a though into my head which has stayed with me for the past few days, He said, “Do you long for the day you see me that way?” I guess I was a little taken back by that question, and when I searched my heart I realized I don't really think that way about the day I reach my true home. Of course I should long for that day with every fiber of my being, but honestly I just don't, not yet, but God will increase that desire.
I want to desire Jesus and my heavenly home like Paul, listen to what he says. “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh it means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain is the flesh is more necessary on your account.” And later in Philippians he says, “ But our citizenship is in heaven.” Its true that this is not my home, and just like this year long journey I am on will end our lives on this earth will also come to an end.
In revelation 21 we can catch a glimpse of what those of us who have given our lives and our hearts to Jesus can look forward to. “ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
I will be the first to admit that I struggle to really internalize these words, I have to fight to keep my eyes on my true home. Reread the scripture in the last paragraph. Do you really believe that this dwelling place of God awaits you? Do I really believe it? If its true then it should be the all consuming passion in our minds and in our hearts. For the very purpose we are alive is to follow the narrow path of Jesus Christ that leads home, and to stray from the broad path of destruction, are you on this path? The truth is this isn't our home, we are exiles, we are foreigners, each day we are closer to the day of salvation. I urge you to join with me in asking God to increase our passion for our true home with Him, this life is but a vapor and time is short. Blessings.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the thing that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient (passing away, not lasting) but the things that are seen are eternal.
