Just A Whiff Of Home

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4, NKJV)

As I was reading early one morning recently … sitting in my recliner upstairs … a fresh cup of coffee keeping my hand warm … an interesting and thought-provoking story came up as I turned the page.

There was a young lady who was having some challenging issues in her life.  Challenging enough that experienced outside help was summoned.  

After becoming more comfortable with the residence where she was being helped … as hoped and prayed for … she began to open up and share her thoughts. Her fears … disappointments … heartaches … heart breaks already experienced emerged.  And it wasn’t very pretty.

As time went on she opened up more and admitted that she really did miss her home and family, which was a major concession.  But then, these words came out, ‘when I begin to think about home and just how much I do miss it … I go to my closet and get out my suitcase.  I open it up … and I get a whiff of home!’

Though she probably didn’t realize it … she was doing exactly what the Apostle Peter was encouraging the early Christians to do who were really being persecuted for their faith … learn to look beyond … to their eternal inheritance.

“Who could mind the journey … when the road leads home!” (James M. Gray 1851-1935)

The end of the story about the young lady “getting a whiff of home” was not revealed.  I would like to think her young life was able to make the adjustments and changes necessary for her to go home.

As God’s people we can have the assurance of how things will be when we are ushered into our eternal home … provided we have lived in the way He has prescribed in His Book!

Heaven is described for us in God’s Book as an eternal home that is absolutely filled with “beauty and grace.”  Found in the Book of Revelation 21:1-5 is God’s answer to our longing to know more about the future life in eternity with Him.  

In symbolic language, God says “Heaven is a place of perfect fellowship … perfect protection … perfect provisions of needs … and perfect service to God!

It’s hard to imagine not having to worry any longer about who is right … or who is wrong … who is faithful … and who isn’t faithful!

You see … in heaven … we will be privileged to commune with the Patriarchs of old … the faithful of the old covenant era … with the babies and the little children that passed from this life before we were ready for them to!

If I long for an eternal home with the Lord and all the faithful who have gone before us, then I need to ‘open the suitcase of God’s revealed will’ … and get that ‘whiff of heaven’ which hopefully is to be our desired eternal home.

The reminders and signposts in God’s Word will keep us pointed in the right direction (2 Peter 1:3) … defining “the way” through the perfect life of Jesus Christ who clearly claims He is “… the way, the truth, and the life; No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Heaven is where God is.  It is what makes heaven … heaven!

It is the absence of His presence that makes hell … hell!

And it is “in heaven” we should look forward to our homecoming!  We are just “pilgrims and sojourners passing through this land and time as we know it. Better things await!

I’m just not really sure that any of us, or at least most of us, can even begin to imagine the beauty of the heavenly fellowship that awaits those who are ushered off to spend eternity with God by the longed-for words “Well done, My good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of Thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21, 23)

Just one last thought to consider:  As much as we would prefer an even more detailed description of heaven … it is no wonder that God spared us a completely detailed description of heaven.

It would be even harder to wait for it … had He told us more!  But He has revealed enough in His Book to let us know … to encourage us even more … to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

It is no wonder, then, that the Apostle Paul follows with the admonition to all of us who are “pressing” … to keep our eyes, ears, and hearts focused on one thing … to become more Christ-like in every way!

Why? In so doing … we are being shaped, molded, and “made fit” for heaven! (Philippians 3:15).

Yes, heaven is a prepared place … for a prepared people! (John 14:1-3)

 

Bill Fairchild, Jr.

 

“O for a home with God, a place in His courts to rest,

Sure in a safe abode with Jesus and the blest,

Rest for the weary soul once redeemed by the Savior’s love,

Where I’ll be pure and whole and live with my God above.”

                                                                        … Alone At Eve

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply