We're Not Home Yet | Hebrews 11

 Welcome to Real Life. Are we there yet?

I have found out that there ain’t no surer way
to find out whether you like people or hate them
than to travel with them.
– Mark Twain

“Where are we?” I asked my husband as I yawned and rubbed sleep from eyes. We were driving sixteen-hours home from Florida.

“We just crossed the Ohio River. So, another two and a half hours,” he replied with a straight face. With my seat fully reclined, only sky and clouds were visible. We could have been driving the Autobahn for all I knew. But when I sat up, I spied a landmark, the KSU College of Podiatric Medicine. It’s less than ten minutes from our door.

“Liar!” I laughed and gently punched him. “We’re almost home!”

We’re almost home. But we’re not there yet. I need the reminder. Because lately, this world feels as cramped and crabby as a sixteen-hour road trip. No matter which side we're on, we're choosing sides and we're passionate about it. Some of us have lost trust in institutions and begun believing conspiracy theories. We seek a political messiah to set the world right and champion the issues Christians care about.

I think we are forgetting. We’re not home yet. We’re on a sixteen-hour-plus road trip to a better country—our heavenly homeland. We are foreigners and nomads here. When we place our hope in this world, when we seek a political messiah to rescue us, we will be disappointed.

Perhaps we’re a bit like Israel in Jesus’ day. They felt cramped and crabby under Roman oppression. They prayed for a political Messiah to champion their cause and set their world right. Instead, God sent a spiritual Messiah to set our souls right. Because when our souls are right with God, nothing can really be wrong with us. I'm not saying we won't struggle and suffer. One friend is currently battling extreme anxiety. Another’s marriage is in crisis. My sister endures endless chemotherapy treatments for stage 4 breast cancer. Their pain is real and intense. And I don't mean to diminish it. But even in suffering, there is hope. Because it's temporary. We’re driving to a home where the only tears will be tears of joy!

In the meantime, let’s rub the sleep from our eyes, and search for landmarks that indicate we’re close to home. 

In the last days…
people will love only themselves and their money. (check)
They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God,
disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. (check)
They will consider nothing sacred. (check)
2 Timothy 3:1–3 NLT

Though this world feels cramped and crazy, it’s not time to bail. We hold dual citizenship. God calls us to be the salt that preserves what’s good and true, and the light that illumines the road home. Let’s advocate for laws that uphold goodness and truth. Let’s support politicians who champion our cause. Let’s push back darkness, lawlessness, and violence. Let’s protect life—in every color—from the womb to the grave. Above all, let's love each other even when we passionately disagree. Because we’re almost home, but we’re not there yet!

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Our eyes are on you. Our faith is in you.
Our faith and hope are not in this world.
We long for a better country—our heavenly homeland. 
But until that day, give us wisdom and discernment 
To navigate this long drive home.
Calm our fears and frustrations.
Fill our hearts with your love.
And empower us to live the truth in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The long drive home!

By faith...all these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 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 11:13–16 NLT)

Comments

  1. Love the idea of searching for heavenly landmarks!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. I failed to mention the milestone birthday landmark. The older we are, the closer to home. Thanks for commenting, Kelly!

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  2. Awesome Peggi! We are not home yet--the best is yet to come! I love the comment about seeking a political messiah--I have heard another commentator say--Our savior isn't going to arrive on AirForce 1. Keep on speaking truth

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    1. Yes, the best is yet to come! I love that quote about AirForce 1. Thanks for your encouragement!

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