Gracepoint Church, Peabody
In his letter to Christians in a town called Philippi, the Apostle Paul referred to his “desire to depart and be with Christ.” The Apostle Peter wrote of his eventual death as a “departure” and said, “the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent.”
They both expressed a longing awareness that they would leave this life — as we all will — and travel to a place of eternal reward. The Bible calls this place “heaven.” The Christian calls it “home.”
Isn’t it interesting that we can long for a place we have never seen with our physical eyes? But our desire is not misplaced. We are responding to the promise of the Lord who came from heaven to save our souls. He spoke of heaven. He died on earth. He rose from his temporary earthly grave and returned to heaven. He said all those who follow Him would go there also.
That fact is we lean in the direction of our longings. If we desire something fervently, we will pursue it steadfastly. Regarding heaven, Christians will find joy in reading about it, learning all God has chosen to reveal in His Word. We will live in such a way that demonstrates we are in this world but not of it. We’re not satisfied calling this doomed planet our final resting place.
To a Christian, death merely serves a purpose. It’s part of the journey. Once beyond death, a Christian will be home.