The reality -or even just a feeling- of homelessness is not fun. We hate the insecurity it brings to us. Over a dozen years ago I stored my stuff in order to study abroad. Tearing down my home was hard. Somehow as an adult I felt worthless to not to have a permanent home address.

But God -who is rich in mercy- taught me a lesson I won’t forget. Gently I was probed to look for the foundation of my security. And I realized I had been so wrong. No physical walls can create a home or give any security. But Jesus can. I can be at home anywhere in the world when Jesus is in my heart. The cornerstone of my home is Jesus.

That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. (Eph. 2: 19-22, MSG)

As pilgrims we don’t have permanent residence in the world, we are just passing through. As followers of Christ we are on our way home to heaven. We are citizens of high heaven! What a wonderful blessing that is! We are on our way home!

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. (Phil. 3:20-21, MSG)

Thomas à Kempis has aptly said “Blessed is the pilgrim, who in every place, and at all times of this his banishment in the body, calling upon the holy name of Jesus, calleth to mind his native heavenly land, where his blessed Master, the King of saints and angels, waiteth to receive him. Blessed is the pilgrim who seeketh not an abiding place unto himself in this world; but longeth to be dissolved, and be with Christ in heaven.”

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for the citizenship of high heaven.
Enable us to remember that
Jesus is the cornerstone of our homes.
Empower us to boldly journey through the world.
Fill us with your Spirit.
Lead us home to you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you homesick?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you continue your journey through the world! See you at home!

This post is part of the One Word at a Time: Home Blog Carnival. Check out what the other posts about “home”!

Photo courtesy of Richard Smith