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Brett Petrillo
My family is in full transition mode. We recently sold our house and will be into our house in about a month. Over time, it's been interesting getting my wife's perspective. For several good reasons, she has never really felt like our current house was our "home." Maybe it's because of all of the soiled and stinky stuff we had to pull out from the previous owner. Maybe it's because of the consistent two and a half years of remodeling and updating. Maybe it's because of the discomfort with the floor plan where the kids are on the main level and we are upstairs. In reality, it's probably all of these things. And I have to admit, I agree with my wife wholeheartedly. While our house has been a wonderful house and we have been blessed beyond measure to have it, we've never really felt settled and "at home." The only thing that made this house close to our "home" was our wonderful family.
Unfortunately, the opposite is typically the problem here on earth. We get so comfortable with this life and all of the everyday joys that we can completely lose sight that this world is not "home." Perhaps that is why those who are struggling in this life with poverty or sickness have such an incredible sense of hope in their lives. They aren't settled here and have that much more to look forward to in the true home of heaven.
In Philippians, we see Paul emphasize this idea of heaven being the true home. He says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for If I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake' (1:21-24). And again, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself" (3:20-21).
Let's not lose sight of our true home. As we sing in the well-known song, "this world is not my home, I'm just passing through." Let's live like this earth isn't home. Let's not get comfortable. An eternity of joy and happiness at our true home awaits those of us who can stay faithful. If "home is where the heart is," then let make sure our "hearts" are longing for heaven.
