In our house, it is not uncommon to hear the country-like strains of “Home, Finally Home” crooning from the sweet voice of my six year old. She picked up the song from a movie and will sing it anytime anywhere, but especially when returning from a long day at school or a long outing where all she wanted to do was be “finally home”. She would lay her backpack down, kick off her shoes and plop down on the couch— burying her head in the pillows and relishing the deep feeling of truly being home, happy, and able to relax.
I can relate— I have always been one who likes to be home. Don’t get me wrong; I love adventures— especially being out in nature, seeing sights I have never seen before, taking in a peaceful or majestic view. But there is something just wonderful about being home. I know that is true for my husband too, as he traveled and lived many places overseas before finding his home here in Colorado and creating his life and family here. Something within each of us likes to be home. It’s that feeling of belonging. It’s the feeling of being safe, loved for who you are, and able to “let down” in every way.
During this whole pandemic we have all been home more than we ever imagined. I am blessed in the fact that I have been able to enjoy days filled with checking in on the garden, making a new recipe, homeschooling the kids, taking a walk. Yes, the last six weeks or so, we have had our fill of our natural home. But… why it is then that my heart still seeks after the true “Home, Finally Home”? Something in my heart is so happy and thankful for what I have here, but there is a constant yearning, constant groaning in my heart for my home: Not this home situated in a suburb neighborhood of Denver with it’s green lawn, garden and flowers, a comfortable inside and relaxing outside. Oh how much I appreciate and love my natural home, but still my heart cries out for “Home, Finally Home”. Have you felt that own yearning in your heart as well?
The Bible says, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). It reminds me of a hymn:
This world is not my home I’m just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore
– Jim Reeves This World is Not My Home
Yes, this yearning is for the Kingdom—God’s Kingdom. It’s the deeper and fuller life God meant for us to experience even here on earth. It was how life was for Adam and Eve before sin entered the world. Can you imagine how their hearts ached for their “home” after they had been sent away from the garden? Their hearts cried out for being near God again. This cry continues today… but the good news is that Jesus came as restitution for sin. He restored us our original position with God by taking away all sin through His death on the cross. Because of Him and what He did for us, we can now live with a hope to see our “Home, Finally Home”. It’s a possibility, not just a desire. One day those who believe in Jesus will return to our home. The cry and the longing of our hearts completely filled.
So when the cry for your true home sounds from your heart, just as it does from mine— rest assured— if you have made Jesus the Lord of your life you will experience that final home. The home where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4) It will be the place we feel completely whole, safe, and free.
So no matter what this life brings, let’s hold onto His Promise— He will come back and take us home (John 14:3). In the mean time, while still on this earth, we know trials will come our way but even then He will be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He “came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10). Yes. We can take hope that surely these promises will come to pass.
Heaven- our heart’s true home. There, we will all stand together and belt out the songs that come from our hearts…
and I have a feeling that my song (as well as my youngest daughter’s) will be “Home, Finally Home.”
Until next time,
Melanie Talevski 