HOME - Deena Talbert
Home. This word conjures different pictures for different people. It is probably safe to say that for most people “home” elicits feelings of safety, rest, belonging, ownership, security, and love. For others, the word evokes different feelings. While reflecting on the saying, “Home is where the heart is,” the Lord spoke to me about my home.
In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through.” As a Christian, it is easy to become used to the fact that my home is in heaven. I take for granted that I will spend eternity there. When I meditate on Jesus Christ and His word, as the psalmist said in Psalm 1:2, “...day and night,” then I find all the things home SHOULD mean.
Safety- Matthew 6:20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” No corruption, no thieves. God Almighty sits on the throne and rules in perfect authority, holiness, and love.
Rest- Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” What a wonderful truth in this hectic, busy world.
Belonging- I Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” John 10:29 “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Salvation guarantees us a permanent place in the family of God.
Ownership- Again in John 14 where Jesus says He is preparing a “place for you.” Jesus gives salvation, a home in heaven, and no take-backs.
Security- I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Having God’s righteousness
imputed to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the most sure foundation for security we will ever have. Jesus never fails.
Love- Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine:” We are loved beyond comprehension.
Take heart, dear sisters. If your home in this world does not bring you all the love, warmth and security you seek, look up! Meditate on the promises in scripture that assure us where our true home is. This life is a vapor. Looking around in my hometown (which I dearly love), I see reality. I see crime, despair, and sin. I LIVE here, but this is not my HOME. We are here for a moment. This is the vacation that makes us yearn for HOME. So choose joy in today’s “excursion.” Invite everyone you meet to go “home” with you. Jesus is the one preparing our home, and He will have theirs ready too, if they choose to accept the free gift of salvation. Meditate on where home really is; live in faith, hope, and love while we travel that direction.
If home is where the heart is, then my home is heaven, and I will find joy in this journey until we get there.