I recently took a trip to Montgomery for a motivational interviewing training. The training itself was insightful but the trip was also insightful. This trip evoked a lot of thoughts for me about how this place, this world, is not my home. I’d like to share with you a few of my reflections on my life as a sojourner who is longing for a home.
Where Is Home?
According to the English Collins dictionary, to sojourn means to live somewhere temporarily, as on a visit; stay for a while.
We are not of this world. We are in the world but not of it (John 15:19). This world is not our permanent home. We are looking for a home to come (Hebrews 13:14). We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) Click To Tweet.
As citizens of heaven, we are living on the Earth temporarily to fulfill the purpose we were created for. While we are living on Earth, we should do our best to make the most of it and leave a legacy but we should always be looking to our eternal home in heaven.
longing for a home while in My Temporary Home
Monday night, my mom and I stayed in a hotel room since we had to get up so early and stay in class so late. We pulled up a hotel close to the training site on GPS. Nothing appeared to be bad about it so we made our abode there.
Unfortunately, there was a screw loose on the shower so I accidentally pulled the handle off of the shower. There was a used bar of soap in the shower, and there were some dirty linens in the floor. As if all this wasn’t bad enough, the shower curtain wouldn’t close. Instead of a relaxing shower, I was worried about the cleanliness of the shower (or lack of), the handle coming off again when I tried to turn off the water, and of course, the floor getting wet.
As soon as I get out of the shower I began to think of home. So many things had gone wrong, there were so many challenges in this place. I longed for my own shower and my bed that was so familiar. It seemed so lonely without the chatter of my siblings and my dad to share leftover food with. I wanted to see the familiar faces of my loved ones and feel the comforts of home that I loved and missed so much. For me, the hotel room was a place to stay temporarily. I had to stay at the hotel to fulfill a purpose but I was longing for home the whole time.
What Awaits Me at Home (In Heaven)
I’m so thankful that when I get to heaven, the challenges I’ve faced on Earth will not even be a memory. All that I will know is victory. I will get to hear the voice of my beloved say “well done, my good and faithful servant”. I will hear the chatter of my loved ones. The Lord will wrap his arms around me and I’ll feel the familiar comfort that I longed for.
longing for a home but not just any home
In heaven I’ll have a mansion. A home not made by hands (see John 14:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 5:1). My home in heaven will be a home in a city built by God (see Hebrews 10:11). Am I thankful for my life on Earth? Of course! But I’m looking for my home in heaven, a home free of sin, pain, sorrow. A home that can only be built by God himself. Just like all of creation longs to be taken back to heaven, so do I. Heaven and Jesus himself are my kind of home.
He’s Inviting You to Come Home!
Just like I have a home in heaven that I am looking forward to, you do as well. To be invited into this place that was created for you by God’s hands, you have to accept his gift of salvation. Without acknowledging that he gave his only son for you and repenting of your sins, you cannot be there with him because he cannot be around sin. Are you looking for that home? Have you heard about this place and have a longing to go but not yet repented of your sin? It’s not too late! If you believe in Jesus and long to go to heaven with him, you can let him know and accept his gift of salvation now. Mind if I pray with you?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the person reading this post. If they are longing to be with you and have not yet accepted there gift of salvation, I pray that as they say this prayer with me, you would forgive them of their sins and make your presence known to them. I ask that the end of this prayer would be a beginning of a new life in you and that you would help them to grow in wisdom and knowledge and lead others to you as well. Thank you! Now, if you want to accept the gift of salvation, please pray this prayer with me now:
Father,
I want to be saved. I know that I am a sinner and I need salvation. Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for my sin and please come into my heart right now. Please help me to live for you and grow in you. Thank You, Jesus for saving me.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
If you accepted the gift of salvation, please send me a message or leave a comment below and let me know so I can pray with you specifically. God bless!
I long for my Heavenly Home, where the worries and cares of today will fade into the scheme of eternity and where I will get to meet Jesus face to face, and be with all of my believing family in Christ! 🙂
Yes, what we are experiencing now cannot compare to the joy that is coming.