The Promise of a Heavenly Home Gives Hope

Reflecting on our heavenly home gives us the hope to keep going.

Home

I’m not exaggerating much when I say every other word out of my daughter’s mouth is “home.” She uses the word to mean, “I want to go home,” “I want to stay home,” “I want you to stay home,” “I want someone to come to my home,” and maybe even, “I like home” or some similar statement. Honestly, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what she means. 

However, it’s obvious that Rachel loves home. She feels comfortable here. And I’m grateful for that. Yet Rachel’s frequent use of the word can begin to wear on one’s nerves, my nerves anyway. Usually, I assure Rach that we are home, will be staying or coming home, or that her care-staff Kiera was or was not coming to our home through clenched teeth. But on a day not long ago, my irritation gave way to interest as I pondered the word’s meaning to me as a Christian.

The definition of home as “the place where one lives” certainly applies to our earthly dwelling places. But sadly, that’s not always a comforting thought. For some it was the site of abuse, dysfunction, chaos, hunger, or loneliness. In those cases, the thought of home isn’t comforting at all. 

Heavenly Home

For a Christian, though, the definition of home should be broadened to include the following words: no suffering, no death, no tears, forever. To a believer, “Home” should convey perfect peace and perfect beauty. It is a place where one lives forever in communion with our Lord and with all fellow believers. A place of permanent belonging. A place of light and life, our heavenly home holds no pain, no sadness, and no death. 

Although I still weary of answering my daughter’s constant inquiry about “home,” the word takes on a welcoming sound when I remember the greatest promise God offers: eternal life after earthly death. Home. A promise secured by His greatest sacrifice: the death of His precious Son. A promise no earthly circumstance can negate. 

Our heavenly home is a promise secured by God's greatest sacrifice: the death of His precious Son. A promise no earthly circumstance can negate. Click To Tweet

A Needed Reminder

When worldly circumstances begin to weigh heavy, when fear threatens and sorrow grows, the promise of a heavenly home gives us the hope to keep going. So maybe Rachel has it right. Maybe life is best lived by having the refrain of “Home” on repeat, reminding ourselves of the eternal life we have waiting for us.

When worldly circumstances begin to weigh heavy, when fear threatens and sorrow grows, the promise of a heavenly home gives us hope to keep going Click To Tweet

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3, ESV

Your Turn

When life gets hard, what gives you hope to keep going? Is there a refrain you have on repeat? Please share it with us in the comments.

By His grace ≈

Julie