There’s No Place like Home

After going through the storm and facing numerous trials, all she wanted was to simply go home. Her new companions were in search of brains, heart, and courage. She wanted no more than to return to the place where things were familiar and safe, where she was loved by her family and friends. So, Dorothy closed her eyes, clicked her ruby slippers and repeated the words of a longing heart: “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.”

I know how Dorothy felt, for somewhere over the rainbow is my home. Few places equal the beauty of Hawaii. Too often, the picturesque land and sea can be taken for granted and not appreciated in the midst of the chores of the daily routine. Friends from home have sent me calendars of Hawaii which call me home.

My mouth waters as I remember favorite foods. Kalbi ribs, mandoo, shrimp and vegetables, andagi, Portuguese bean soup, lumpia, and Lorrie’s bread pudding. I feel like getting a flight home just to eat. I have the Baptist gift of potluck.

Like Dorothy, what I truly miss are the people. After 23 years of walking life’s journey together, I am still overwhelmed by the love, support, and prayers I have received from home. I have been so blessed to serve with such a gracious and generous people.

Unfortunately unlike Dorothy, I cannot simply decide to go home. They apparently do not make ruby slippers in size 14. So I will continue to have the wish of returning to the home of rainbows, because there’s no place like home.

These musings on my earthly home have reminded me of my home beyond eternity.

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14: 1-3

Jesus has gone before me to prepare my heavenly dwelling place according to His father’s design. Jesus not only prepares my future home, but also promises to come for me when it’s my moving day, when I step from time to the timelessness of eternity.

The Bible contains few descriptions because our human words are so inadequate to describe the celestial vistas. So for now, we can imagine.

Imagine the relief of laying down our burden of sin and guilt.
Imagine viewing every day the extraordinary masterpiece of God’s perfect creation, painted with colors that do not even exist on our palette.
Imagine the intimacy of unending fellowship with other believers - a people who will be the embodiment of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Imagine worship that flows as naturally as breathing - where the majestic peals of thunder shout forth His praise.
Imagine a place where there are no more fears or tears. No more pain or disease. No more selfishness or pride. No more questions, only God’s perfect answer…Jesus.

This is a simple yet profound description of heaven: “…that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3. Paradise regained in the presence of the Prince of Peace.

Richard Baxter writes,
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim,
But it's enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him.

Some think this pondering is some sort of morose fatalism. It may seem that such thoughts reflect a desire to escape this world. I have found that this blessed hope allows me to truly enjoy God’s lavish grace today.

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So my heart yearns for my earthly home and heavenly home. Jesus asks me just to believe and trust His promises. My heart will not be troubled, for in Christ, there is no place like home.

See you at home,
Dan