Homeward bound

by Charles Bertelsmeier

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But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:16).

Read Hebrews 11:13–22

I find it interesting the way we set goals in our lives. Our focus can be very immediate – such as dealing with this moment’s panic situation or the task at hand. Or it may just be getting through the day or making it to the weekend when we can relax.

When we are young, our longer-term focus may be on getting an education, getting a secure, well-paid and satisfying job, finding a life partner and owning a home. As we get older, our focus may expand to planning for our retirement and becoming financially secure.

Then life throws challenges at us: health issues, relationship breakdowns and financial setbacks. Our focus then changes to dealing with these challenges and hopefully getting back on track with our previous plans.

In our busyness with our plans, God also has plans for us. He wants us to grow in our relationship with him, understanding how precious we are to him. He wants us to learn how to live as his beloved children. He wants to teach us how to think of others and learn how to be true friends to them. He wants to teach us how to care for the wonderful creation he has given us. Oh, and don’t forget, he is planning an awesome new universe for us to live in following our departure from this life.

The verse above is from chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews which provides a list of heroes of faith in the Old Testament. Although they are remembered for the things they did while living on this earth, the author of this letter reminds us of the dual focus they had. While busy with carrying out what God was calling them to do, living on this planet was not all there was to life, but that there was a lot more to come.

As I write this, a close friend of mine who has leukemia has been told by his doctor that they have tried all possible treatments and none have worked. He is being kept alive by regular blood transfusions but has zero immunity and, therefore, is susceptible to any infection. He knows that it may not be long before he goes home to meet Jesus, who will be waiting there with open arms of welcome.

Although you are busy living life here on planet Earth, do you ever get to reflect on the open, waiting arms of Jesus as he welcomes you to the new home that he has prepared for you?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that you have prepared a new home for us with you forever. But thank you, too, that you are with us in our everyday lives here on earth, helping us to grow as your children as we wait for you to call us home. Amen.

Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the Air Force, Army and Navy. He lives in a retirement village in the outer north west suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. Together they have four children and eight grandchildren whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy with their pot plants, community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering at LifeWay Lutheran Church.

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