It has been noted, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” (C. S. Lewis)
How does that thought strike us? What marks our focus regarding being truly satisfied? Along with this we might even ask what marks our comfort zone? How much are we feeling at home in this realm? When things of this life make us uncomfortable, what does that tell us and to where does that turn our focus?
The words of C. S. Lewis immediately took my mind to Jesus’ words — the night of His arrest prior to His crucifixion — which he spoke to encourage His disciples (John 15:18-19) and spoke in His prayer for them. (John 17:14-16) Just as Jesus was at that time in the world but not of it, so it was to be the acknowledgment regarding their own lives.
This also reminds me of Paul’s focus contrasting being at home in the body and being away from the Lord as he looked toward the preference of the eternal dwelling he would someday have of being at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9) Though this earthly realm is our present home, are we living with the acknowledgment we are actually still on the journey toward our true heavenly home?
As the writer of Hebrews composed his list of heroes and heroines of faith to encourage those he was writing to who were experiencing great trials, he noted the focus beyond the things of this earthly realm in stating. . .
“(13) 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. (14) For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. (15) If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV)
And remember how Paul encouraged his readers in declaring. . .
“(5) For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
It is that for which we are to long. (2 Corinthians 5:2) And for this reason our minds need to remain set on things above. (Colossians 3:1-4) Therefore, let that desire drive us onward and upward as we live acknowledging we are not home yet!
Have a great day CONTINUING TO BE DRAWN HEAVENWARD!
Carl
