| Homesick for Heaven
by Joni Eareckson Tada |
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| Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5 |
| When you are homesick, what images come to mind? Maybe you think of an old house, familiar in every detail and dear to you. Maybe you remember well-loved faces and voices, now far away. It’s possible you are homesick for a city, for a neighborhood, for a pet, for fireflies, for sweet summer roses, for old-favorite-home-cooked meals, or for the sound of wind in the maple trees. Out of nowhere, a certain something will remind you of home and stir your longing.
Those who love the Lord and have walked with Him for years are sometimes homesick for heaven, a place where they belong but have never been. They dream of the Lord’s return. They long to be clothed in pure garments, white as snow. They think about angels; a restored earth; a strong, new body; and loved ones who have already crossed over. Mostly, they think of Jesus—Savior and Friend, Lord and Bridegroom, Shepherd and King.
I’m grateful for my life, Lord. I’m grateful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for the work You’ve given me to do. But You know my heart. I get so weary of this sin-sick world, and deep down, I just want to “depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” (Philippians 1:23). I want to go Home.
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| Taken from A Spectacle of Glory
By Joni Eareckson Tada
Copyright © 2016
Published in Print by Zondervan, Grand Rapids
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. |
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