Going home

November 15, 2006

By Gary Rogers

Among the paradoxes of Christianity is that, as followers of Christ, we are homesick for a place we have never been. God’s Word offers such specific details of this place it is almost like we have been there. The Bible makes it clear it is a place without sorrow, pain or death (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4). Satan will be forever defeated, so there will be no temptation (Revelation 20:10).

Imagine, no problems, no heartaches, no wheelchairs, no hospitals, no pharmacies, no insurance, no suffering, no cancer, no diabetes, no heart disease, and no tears. It is a place of more love, more light, more life, more peace, more happiness, more joy, more fellowship, more understanding, more fulfillment, more worship. In this place we will see Jesus, be reunited with loved ones, and spend eternity enjoying each other’s company.

Paul teaches us that the present challenges of this life should be weighed in light of the wonderful reality of the place we are going. Yes, we all have problems. Yes, we all have difficult circumstances. Yes, some people like to play “Top This” when it comes to sharing the negative elements in their life.

But as Christians we all share the same hope. We are all going to the same wonderful, tremendous, super, marvelous, stupendous place. Our life challenges may be different, but no matter where they are on the scale of difficulty none of them are worthy to be compared to the glory of heaven. None of them are so bad they should cast a shadow on the hope and joy and anticipation of living forever with Jesus in an awesome place.

Yes, I’m homesick for a place I have never been. I long to be there, and my mind goes there quite often. When I think of that place there is a longing in my heart. I can’t wait to get home.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18, NKJV).

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20,21).

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.