I was thinking about making this blog title in the form of a question, but I decided to make a statement of fact because this is how I am feeling right about now. I wasn’t much of a home body growing up because home wasn’t that comfortable for me; which was probably a good thing. I was always about work, school, hanging with my friends, and not being home; especially after I graduated high school. For me, it was either the Marine Corp or school; I chose school and spent the majority of the 80’s there, in church, working, or doing ministry projects. When Debi and I got married, we kept moving in ministry, work, having fellowship with other believers, and making a family. Now 35 years later we are still working, doing ministry, loving our adult kids, their spouses, and their kids, our grandkids. It’s been a great ride with a lot of ups and downs and twists and turns. Somehow we managed to make it through the good times and bad, while learning a lot of lessons along the way.
In all of those years, I never really felt homesick for heaven like I am now. In these past few months I have been feeling a level of homesickness for heaven that I have never experienced. I find myself repeating the phrase, ‘I just want to go home,’ while sitting in my living room or home office. I enjoy time with my family and doing things with them. I enjoy the projects that are associated with being a dad who can fix (almost) anything. I have intensified my devotional time with the Lord, reading the Bible, marking it up with red and blue pens and yellow markers and such. I find that those early morning hours of prayer and study are more beneficial than ever.
I enjoy watching certain YouTube watchers who are on point in their eschatology and encouragement. I find that whatever work that I am doing, be it on our rentals, around our house, our kid’s houses, or our church; I find it fulfilling as I do it as unto the Lord. It’s hard for me to relax, but I sometimes find a way, usually it’s on the business end of my Elliptigo, bicycle, weight set, or walking my dogs around the lake. I turn 60 in mid-August (if we get there) and all that it entails.
As I look back over my life, I am very grateful for all that God has done in and through me. I am so sorry for my shortfalls and those folks I may have hurt along the way. I have always tried to be a good person, a good husband and father, and a good pastor. I know I am saved by grace, as are all other believers in Jesus. I have a positive mindset for the future, however long it may be. As I look forward, I envision heaven and all that God has instore for us there; which includes seeing lost loved ones and past family members who also loved Jesus.
I want to be a good witness in this last lap of the race, as well, a bright light for Jesus to this dark world. I have noticed that a lot of believers of various ages and backgrounds are posting YouTube videos and sharing the gospel and the nearness of the Lord’s return. I can only see this as a work of the Holy Spirit as He is prompting the Church to proclaim the gospel message of hope and the nearness of the Lord’s return for us.
My homesickness for heaven is a statement of my longing not to be in this world anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suicidal or depressed, rather I am wanting to be with Jesus and all those who love Him. I want this, not by way of death, but by way of the Rapture.
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “For we know that if our earthly house (physical body), this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation (dwelling) which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee (down payment, earnest). 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1-7
- In context to this passage, Paul is speaking of a physical death; where believers will one day be resurrected to life at the Rapture/Resurrection. This close to the Rapture, this passage applies more to those believers who are to soon be caught up into heaven to be with the Lord forever.
So, if you’re reading this and you too are feeling a little homesick for heaven, just know that you are not alone.
Sometimes kids who are away from their families on a stent of summer camp get a little homesick. Sometimes soldiers on the battlefield get homesick. Sometimes college kids who are away at school get a little homesick. Sometimes, Christians who are loving and serving Jesus, get homesick for heaven because what this world offers is less and less admirable than what it once did; but what Jesus offers us is out of this world.
Jesus said it this way, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:1-3
- The command to ‘let not your heart be troubled’ is critical to the mind-set and heart-set of every believer living in these last days. We must be confident in the Lord, His Word, and His promises to us that he has prepared a place for us; a home for us, eternal in the heavens.
This ‘home’ that Jesus is referring to is His Father’s house. This place that Jesus has prepared for us has a purpose, to be an eternal dwelling place for His people. This promise of an eternal home comes from the Lord Himself. It’s a promise for every believer in Jesus.
Jesus reminds us, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.” – Matthew 24:6-8
- The key phrase here for the believers is not all of the hoopla that will be occurring in the last days, but that we are ‘not to be troubled’ as a result of it. Jesus Himself said this to us, we had better obey.
I realize this can be difficult, but we can do it if Jesus instructed us in this manner.
The purpose of this blog is to encourage you my brother (sister) in the Lord and to let you know that we are not long for this world, even though we are planning to be here for a while. We do our best to carry on, but our heart is in heaven, with all those who love the Lord; many who have already arrived there. If you’re saved, get ready and stay that way. If you’re not saved, get saved, and stay that way. All it takes is a prayer of faith, to repent of your sin, asking Jesus to come into your heart, to forgive you of your sin, and to cleanse you from your unrighteousness. That prayer of faith brings you into the family of God and makes you a brother or sister to millions of others who have called upon the name of the Lord; which is Jesus, for their salvation.
Until we get home, we will feel a little homesick, but if we endure and press in and on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, we too will cross that finish line and enter into our eternal habitation in the Father’s house. We could be out of here this week! We may have to wait a little longer. However the Lord winds up the Church age, we need to be faithful to Him and His calling on our lives; homesick or not. Whatever we see in these next few days or weeks, we must not fear or be troubled in our heart. God has us, He is with us, He is in us, and He is for us. If we are hidden in Christ, and we are if we are saved by His grace, than we’re safe in Him.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 