Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him. (2 Corinthians 5:9 AMP)
What does “home” mean to you? Where is the place you return to, the place where you feel comfortable, the group of people you feel most connected with? “Home” isn’t always just the house you grew up in or the place you live now. For me, I sometimes think I have two homes—the one where my parents raised me, and the one where I’m raising my own children.
Monday morning the day after Easter I left my home to make the six hour drive to my parents’ home. This home was where I grew up and, in fact, also where my father grew up. Our family has very deep roots in this farm and community and, even though I haven’t lived here for several decades, it’s pretty easy to “come home” because so much of the area has not changed in those intervening years.
In a 22.7 square mile township that consists of about 170 people, there have been some deaths, marriages, births, etc., but this area has not seen the rapid growth of urban sprawl or other “progress” that dramatically changes a community. When the most exciting thing is that the township clerk of 48 years (my dad) is stepping down so a new clerk (my sister) can take the role, you know that change has been relatively gentle to this area.
Ultimately, though, this world is not my home. It is a beautiful and wonderful place where I have Kingdom work to do, but I will not be here forever. My eternal home is secured in Christ, a heavenly place that Jesus has gone to prepare for me. In my Father’s house are many rooms, and Jesus wants me to live with him, so he will come again to take me there. I’m grateful for my earthly homes, but especially grateful for my eternal home.
God,
Thank you for the places we call “home” on this earth. We are grateful for physical places, communities, and groups of people who form the places we can call home. Help us to be good stewards of the community relationships, the physical properties, and the human connections that you have given us. But help us always remember that our most important home is found with you. Thank you for preparing a place for us. AMEN.
As they were going on the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” And He said to another, “Follow Me.” (Luke 9:57-59 NASB)
In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. (John 14:2-3 NASB)