(submitted by Kerry Patton)
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen
them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they
were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it
clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been
thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had
opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a
heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has
prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16
So, where are
you from?
Maybe
you are like me in that I have lived in a good number of Texas towns and
cities. Born in Abilene, across my 49
years, I’ve lived in Hawley, Tuscola, Sundown, Rochester, Amherst, O’Donnell,
Wolfforth, Roscoe, Clyde, College Station, Eula, and Weatherford. At different times over the last 21 years,
I’ve lived in three separate homes here in Weatherford alone.
I
have occasion to drive past the former residences now and again and the
familiarity is always strange. They look
just like they did when I lived in them…like I could pull right up in the
driveway, walk in, and fix myself a glass of iced tea. My belongings would be there, and so would my
family. But that isn’t true of
course. As I look at the home, say over
on Case street, or Mockingbird lane, I realize that I was just a traveller
through time there. A pilgrim…and that
abode was but a temporary residence.
It’s
a little humbling to realize the same is true about where we live now on Ellis
Creek drive. The house there is where I
call home, and yet…I do realize that this too is only temporary. How long will Laura and I reside there? Ten
years? Twenty? Is this house my final earthly
dwelling or will there be others? All
that is truly certain is that I slept there last night and plan to be there
tonight. Right? Only the Lord knows the
events that lay ahead.
Not Here…But
There
The
further I travel down the road of my Christian faith, there is a truth that
becomes remarkably more and more clear.
This world is not my home. Oh, it
feels like home, to be sure. It’s all
I’ve ever known. I know the feel of the
wind and sun on my face. I’ve come to
know the sounds and smells and anticipate the seasons. The fellowship of family and friends are
familiar as we all move forward on this line of time…but this world is NOT
where we belong! It’s…well, it’s
temporary. We didn’t get this as
children, but as adults, we know it all too clearly as we’ve felt the sting of
family and friends…even pets as they’ve been here one day for us to love and
share with, and then are absent from us the next. This is home for only a little while…for a
season. And then the season is over.
If
we stop reading there, it really can be a depressing consideration. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing we have, nothing we do, nothing we
are…nothing. It’s all temporary.
But
there IS an eternal element to us, isn’t there.
We were created beings of three parts: body, mind, and…SPIRIT. And that last part…the spirit is
eternal. We have a soul that is the MOST
important part. It is for our soul that
Jesus lived and died, and was resurrected.
He didn’t die for our homes or cars, or for our body. He redeemed our souls…the eternal parts of us
because he KNEW what we have to figure out and understand: This life is not the
point.
This
world is not our home. I’ve said it
before: This life is to eternity what pregnancy is to this life. It is the ‘making ready.’ What would pregnancy be if there was no
birth, no life in this world? But there IS life in this world, which makes
pregnancy only a prelude. So also is
this life to eternity. Life without
eternity is vain…empty of promise, only a meaningless ride on a celestial ball
with sight, sound, and varied experiences…and then a meaningless death.
But
weave the Love of God into the picture and everything changes! Factor in the cross of Calvary and the
Resurrection of Jesus and the storyline is changed forever! Realize that we are being fashioned into the
image of our beautiful Savior and that soon…and very soon we will be with
him. In the mean time, we are to live as
he lived; love as he loved; serve as he served, and live has meaning and
purpose.
Don’t
get attached to this place friend. We
are just passing through. It may be
where we sleep tonight, but it isn’t really home…not…not really our home. No, home is ahead. Take pictures, love people, grow plants and
cut the grass. You’ll be here for a
while. But wait until you see what is
coming. Oh man! It’s going to be amazing!
Prayer
Almighty God, keep my eyes on the
prize here. This world is so beautiful
and amazing, and this life an unspeakable gift.
Yet, you have placed us here only for a moment. How amazing must heaven be? Let me breathe deeply this life as I prepare
for the life to come, and make me an example of your promise for that which is
to come. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
