Home in Heaven, or on Earth?
Some things are easy to say, but difficult to embrace. For example, I grew up in Michigan and we say the following every year. “Next year will be the Lion’s year.” For those who may not be aware, I am addressing the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Every year ends the same – massive disappointment with little to generate hope in success going forward. Detroit is one of the worst historical franchises in the NFL. But still, midway through the season when most of the league still has hopes for the current season, with the Lions out of contention, we would repeat a variation of our annual saying, “Maybe next year.”
The problem is that deep down, we really did not believe that next year will finally be the year. It was something that we said, but failed to embrace. Our actions did not illustrate that we felt next year would finally be the breakthrough year. In fact, it was just the opposite. By our actions one could tell that we really didn’t believe success was on the horizon. While this idea is fun to examine in the context of the Lions, it is unfortunate that it happens too often in Christianity.
Having just come back from a very nice trip to Michigan to be with much of my family, a biblical passage came to mind that expresses this idea. Consider a portion of the words of Hebrews 11.13-16. “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland…But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”
I highlighted three portions of this text because they convey an idea that is commonly expressed among Christians. “We are just strangers on this earth and this is not our home.” That is really easy to say. But it is true? Is it true for your family? Casual observation illustrates the reality that Christianity in America has found a comfortable home here on this earth. Earthly matters easily take precedence over kingdom matters and consume our time, energy, and resources. Spiritual issues are commonly moved into the category of, “When I have time.”
Is it possible that many of us have forgotten what it means to “Seek first the kingdom of God?” Or, maybe we never truly grasped it from the beginning. Regardless, if a family, in word and deed, acknowledged that they were strangers on this earth and heaven was truly home, wouldn’t spiritual matters automatically happen and earthly matters be relegated to the when I have time category?
My trip to Michigan was wonderful. I loved it and enjoyed it. But it reminded me of my confession when I became a Christian. Jesus is my Lord. Therefore, His priorities are my priorities. My goal is to teach this to my family daily and pray they choose to embrace it as well. After all, the home that I read about in the Bible is so much greater than anything this world has to offer.