No Place Like Home

“But Jesus said ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been.’” (Mark 5:19 NLT)

Recently my wife and I met some dear friends in Utah and visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Wow! Trying to process what your eyes are seeing is a little bit like trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose. IMPOSSIBLE! Paul wrote in Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

The beauty and majesty of parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon become extended times of worship as we bask in God’s presence, realizing only God could make something that awe inspiring. But then, the natural progression of thought becomes: “If earth is THIS magnificent, what will heaven be like?”

Of course, nature is only part of what makes life on this planet so enjoyable. As believers we have not only our biological family, but we are members of the Body of Christ, the Family of God. It’s impossible to imagine what heaven will be like, not only in terms of its splendor and appeal visually, but also in terms of the people we’ll have opportunity to meet and get to know.

Think of Biblical characters of whom you’ve read. How about Jonah? How many people do you know on earth who have taken a three-day ride inside a huge fish and lived to tell about it? Or Daniel, who spent a night counting stars with the lions? Or David as he faced the giant? Or the three Jewish young men who took a walk with Jesus in the blazing furnace? Do you realize you won’t need to be introduced to any of these people, or anyone else in heaven for that matter, you’ll know them and they’ll know and love you.

What about language? Who cares! All I know is we’ll be able to know as we’ve been known, without ANY barriers between us and Jesus or other members of our eternal family. Also, you know that memory that seems to have taken leave? It’s coming home to you when you get to heaven. Every fond memory will be like you’re experiencing it for the first time. What’s my point in all these musings?

Simply this. When Kathy and I returned from our wonderful trip, even as we marveled looking at photos we’d taken, you know what we said when we pulled into our driveway? Yep, you guessed it! “It’s so good to be home!” There’s really no place like home is there?

Yet, even as I write these words, I realize there are millions of people across our world who don’t enjoy the privilege of a home of their own, or even a bed of their own. I’m reminded that the writer of the Hebrew letter speaks to the fact that as children of God we are “strangers and pilgrims” on this earth. We’re just passing through. This earth is not our home for long.

One day those of us who have pledged our allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords will go to our eternal home and to our loving Father. Whether we’ve lived in a castle or a cardboard box on this earth, we’ll be given a home of our own – one that we’ll enjoy for all eternity! One that will never be taken away! One that we’ll love, because it will be designed specifically with each one of us in mind.

This world, on many levels, is wonderful and enjoyable for many of us, but for far more, it’s a daily grind in a cycle of suffering, torment, and misery. By the grace of God, ANYONE and EVERYONE is invited to have a home in heaven through faith in God’s only Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the verse above from Mark, Jesus is telling a former demon possessed man who was begging to go with Him, to go back to his family and tell them the wonderful things God did for him. I believe that’s what Jesus is asking us to do.

Starting with our family and reaching out to everyone in our spheres of influence, let’s tell everyone about the unimaginably good things our Savior has done in, through, and on our behalf. We don’t want anyone to miss an opportunity to go to heaven. After all, there’s no place like our eternal home – with Jesus!

Blessings, Ed 😊