“Sometimes I grow
homesick for heaven
And the glories I there shall behold;
What a joy that will be when my Savior I see
In that beautiful city of gold!” - - Anon
That phrase, “homesick for heaven”, struck me as I
realized that at times, I, too, experience a homesickness for Heaven. After all, Heaven is our eternal/everlasting
home. We are here on earth temporarily;
earth is not our permanent home. As written in Hebrews 11:13 – 16, “These
[referring to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Sarah] all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out,
they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is,
a heavenly country. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. “
As a child I remember being homesick while staying a
few days with relatives. Coming home
after a visit felt secure and comfortable because I was in the presence of my
mom and dad again, and yes, even my older brother J Being reunited with my earthly toys also
brought me joy. But now, as a grown-up,
I long for that same sense of security, comfort and love that awaits me in
Heaven. Plus, I get to see Jesus face to
face first off and then my earthly believing family and friends. But, you know,
there’s even more to look forward to in Heaven.
“Perhaps one of the reasons that we are given eternal
life is that we will need an eternity to get to know all of the people to whom
we are related by grace.” Pastor Jon
Anderson Think about it!! All people who have been saved by grace will
be inhabitants of Heaven. Beginning with
Adam and Eve, there are going to be lots and lots of people to visit. Won’t it
be amazing to meet the Biblical people…to be able to talk to your favorite
ones? I look forward to meeting Sarah,
Queen Esther, Ruth, Deborah, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women who
lived throughout Bible history. Of
course, the men stand out too: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the 12
disciples, Paul and Timothy. So much knowledge
to reap from these men and women.
But not only will it be exciting to encounter the
Biblical people, it will also be grand to run into other historical, Christian
men and women as well. However, the
people that I want most to be spending eternity with are my believing family
members and all my personal brothers and sisters in Christ. Separation, loneliness and sadness will be
replaced with unity, togetherness and joy!!
Our new home will be beyond description, prepared by Jesus Himself. (John
14:2) Homesickness will be non-existent
because we will finally be home!!!
“For our citizenship is
in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His
glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all
things to Himself.” Phil. 3:20-21
