Still On The Journey!

An old missionary couple were returning home for the first time in forty-four years of service. As the liner pulled into port, there to greet the ship -- and a very famous movie actor -- was an over-flow crowd. Banners were flying, bands were playing, celebrities were waiting. The old missionary stood and watched it all and with a tear in his eye he turned to his wife and said, “Looks like some of our brethren could have been here to meet us.” His wife replied with an assuring hug, “The movie star is home, dearest you’re not home yet.”

“Not home yet.” Is that how we feel? Do we view life as a journey that draws us HOMEWARD, but with the realization this is not the place to settle down? Though we might enjoy the rights of citizenship granted where we live (even Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen: Acts 16:37; 22:25-29; and 25:11-12) we must not lose sight of where our true citizenship is.

Paul reminded those at Philippi…
“But OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” ( Philippians 3:20 ESV)

Though Philippi was one of the places where Paul was thrown into prison and mentioned his Roman citizenship ( Acts 16:37-39), when he later wrote to these Christians he emphasized the HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP. If we become too much at HOME here we may forget the ETERNAL DESTINATION to which our life is to be journeying toward! Paul had an appreciation for the rights he had as a Roman citizen, but this world was not seen as his home.

After referring to the “tent” -- the temporary body in which we live while in this realm ( 2 Corinthians 5:1-4) -- Paul referred to the more PERMANENT DWELLING to which he looked forward as he journeyed onward. That is what Paul had a longing for and was determined to not allow anything to keep him from pressing on toward that goal.

As Paul went on in this letter to the church at Corinth, he wrote…
“(6) So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (7) for we walk by faith, not by sight. (8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and AT HOME WITH THE LORD.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ESV)

We’re not home yet. Let us not get overly comfortable here. Our journey continues. We must keep pressing on. We can appreciate the sights and enjoy the labors of love in which we involve ourselves, but home is yet to come. May we maintain a longing for it and for others to share in it too.

Have a great day REMAINING HOMEWARD BOUND!
Carl

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