Kieran and I spent some time visiting my dad's family in Florida this past week. We left on the 17th (Asher's birthdate) and came back on the 23rd. While we were there, I experienced the first bout of homesickness I can remember.
I love my family, and I was long overdue for a visit--being away from "home" has never bothered me much before. Wherever you are, you are always missing someone. But whether it was the day on which we left or the fact that the three of us have never been apart for a night, I called Jordan that first night and I sobbed. Friends will tell you that I am not much of a crier, but that evening, I felt as though I had left my heart behind. My husband reassured me and loved me through his words, and eventually I felt better.
This onset of homesickness got me thinking...isn't that how I should feel about heaven? Shouldn't I at all times be yearning for my One True Love? I wrote about this once before, when we were anxiously awaiting Kieran's arrival. I just could not get these lyrics out of my head:
Soon and very soon
My King is coming
Robed in righteousness and crowned with love
When I see Him I
Shall be made like Him
Soon and very soon
Soon and very soon
I'll be going
To the place He has prepared for me
There my sin erased
My shame forgotten
Soon and very soon
I will be with the One I love
With unveiled face I'll see Him
There my soul will be satisfied
Soon and very soon
I get so attached to this world--the people in my life, my dreams and aspirations, and even the things I want to acquire. And it steals my joy. What if I lived out this passage from Philippians 1?
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.
If only I could remember that "we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior" (Philippians 3:20). I want to long to be reunited with my Savior and be free from the sin that so easily entangles me and all of the sickness, anguish, and death that surrounds me. But I also want to long to serve those around me. To encourage my brothers and sisters to grow in Christ so we can together be lights in the darkness. So together, we can show people the way home.
1 comment:
So true. It's hard to keep an eternal perspective, but it is comforting to know that heaven is our true home :)
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