Home is where…

Close your eyes and think for a moment or two about “home”.   What does the word bring to your mind and memory?

Home! Defined by Webster, it is the place we live, where our social unit is, the congenial environment, the place of origin, the place that is relaxed and comfortable, on familiar ground with harmony in the surroundings.

For many though it has become the place of discomfort, anxiety, discord and strife. The Bible sets the tone similar to what Webster describes, not the one that has become what society reveals today. Follow me as I share a different perspective by God’s design that closely identifies with Webster, but has far greater significance in my life and yours – for “home” is to be our forever residence.

Psalm 68:6 tells us that God makes a home for the lonely.   Years ago I heard a pastor say that all mankind has a God shaped vacuum that only He can fill. That vacuum has been filled on the cross, and is available by our choosing Christ.

First and Second Samuel relate the life of David; a life wrought with great victories, that settles into discord, turmoil and grievous family issues, but God describes him as “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam 13:14).   David struggled as king also, making grievous sinful choices, failing at parenting, such that we might easily dismiss him, but, God alone saw his heart.

Philippians 3:20 gives us further understanding that our citizenship (and thus our home) is in heaven.

The book of John shares the good news that those who love God will have the Holy Spirit residing in them, making available a growing understanding of Living Water (John 14:23, John 7:38). “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” “He who believes in Me…from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.”

Since our heart yearns for God, and our real home is heaven, He has provided the way on the cross for the yearning to be filled, making His home in us, opening the door that godly character can be built in us. Our role then, is to put ourselves into the whole hearted pursuit of Christ, and let our home life here and now be a reflection of what is to come in heaven. Whole-hearted pursuit of God by even one spouse will influence the atmosphere in the home.

No matter whether we are living it well today or see it as a change we need to make, deeper pursuit of God will transform lives in our home, and in our neighborhood.

In John 14 we are told Jesus goes to His home to prepare a place for us:

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

Home then is to be a place in the presence of the Trinitarian God – filled with unconditional love and joy. And it begins now, as followers of Christ, having been adopted into His family, leading one day to our home in heaven.

There it is: we are to spend eternity in our new home with Jesus, in a place we describe as and call heaven.

Since we’re going to be dead a lot longer than we’re alive here on earth, now is the best time to prepare for living with others in the presence of Christ for eternity.