Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.     Philippians 3:17-20 HCSB

Have you ever grown tired of being away from home. Maybe you are fighting the crowds while Christmas shopping. Perhaps you have been on a long vacation that while it was enjoyable was a bit tiring. Or maybe you have grown tired of all the evil and selfish behavior we see all around us in this old world today.

Jesus said in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” Jesus is referring to our heavenly home, our eternal dwelling place where we will live in peace and joy with our Lord and Savior forever. Before we get there, however, we have to survive this old sinful world.

Jesus said in John 16:33 that we would have suffering in this world, but we could have peace in Him. He told us to be courageous because He has conquered the world.

In this world we will either do our best to imitate Christ or we will live as enemies of Christ, there is no middle ground. We will be victorious and be overcomers through Christ or we will serve Satan and cling to our sins.

I urge you to remember, however, that this world is just temporary. We are just passing through. This is not our permanent home. Yesterday I went to work, and I must say I really enjoy my job. There were some circumstances, however, that caused it to go a bit longer and by the time I was done, I was just ready to go home.

This is how I look at life in this world. I have a job or many jobs to do while I’m here. I’m working and while I have peace and joy through my Lord and Savior, I’m ready to go home whenever He is ready for me. My mother worked so hard here on earth serving the Lord and serving others. She suffered through Alzheimer’s in her last days.

When she left us to be with the Lord, I knew she was finally home. She was healed. We are told in Revelation 21:4 that our heavenly home is a place where He will wipe the tears from our eyes, there will be no more death, no mourning, no crying, and no pain for all these things will have passed away.

Peter warned in 1 Peter 2:11 that we are simply travelers and exiles in this world, and we should abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against our souls. Don’t get bogged down in the evil that exists around you. Don’t let evil people drag you down to their level. You are just passing through.

In John 14:3, Jesus promised to come again and receive us unto Himself so that where He is, we may be also. Our permanent home is with Jesus. Our former pastor always said that if we go to hell, we go as trespassers. We were never created to be there. God created us to live in eternity with Him.

Trust in Him today. Do the work He has called you to do while you are here and be ready to go home when your work is done.

Have a great day!