Everything in creation reflects the Creator & His redemptive narrative: marriage displays the beautiful pursual & union of Christ & His bride, the changing of the seasons expresses the cycle of life, death, & rebirth, and not to mention the utter beauty of Creation which showcases the complete Glory of Christ. Even our own desires, loneliness, longings- are placed inside of us, to reveal a hunger that should be directed towards Christ... therefore, why should homesickness for an earthly home not reflect the homesickness we should have for our Heavenly home?
Maybe this concept isn't new to you.. but, it is to me. I've always felt that homesickness was just an earthly concept desired by man. However, lately, the Lord has shown that these desires we have are put in us by Him, for His glory only.
My desire for my earthly home, comforts, family, even my bed... are put inside of me in order to point me towards a desire for my Eternal Home. When I start to long for a temporary home, the Lord instead reminds me of the longing I should be experiencing for His fullness of presence, my Heavenly dwelling. How wonderful the greatness of God that He give us earthly pains and groans to remind us of Himself!
I want to be like Abraham, who, even as a stranger in a foreign country, "was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." As Abraham was faithful to go, homesick for the only land he knew but trusting in the promise of His future home, so do i also want to be faithful to go, live, breathe, and serve in the land I'm currently dwelling- while soley longing for my Heavenly home.
How much time do we spend missing our earthly homes as compared to how much time we spend missing our eternal Home? How often do we shed tears over the fact that we're not there? And how much better is our Heavenly home than any earthly home?!
How vast our sinful pride & ignorance is, that we could actually desire this dirty, sick, sin-infested place of death compared to a city in which the sun or moon are not needed to give light for the Glory of God is its lamp!!
I want to be in anguish in this life. [Living here & longing for there.] Desiring His world above my own gives me perspective, guidance, life & breath. Seeking FIRST His Kingdom- truly longing, thirsting, zealously pursuing after It... gives my life purpose. The more I want to dwell there, the more I'll want those around me to share in that eternal dwelling.
"You said that You'd be coming, coming for me soon. O my God, I'll be ready for You. I want to run on greener pastures, I want to dance on higher hills. I want to drink from sweeter water, in the misty, morning chill.
And my soul is getting restless for the place where I belong.
I can't wait to join the angels & sing my heaven song...
I hear your voice & I catch my breath. 'Well done my child, enter in & rest.'
Tears of joy roll down my cheek,
It's beautiful beyond my wildest dreams."
[Phil Wickham, Heaven Song]
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
