The Heavenly Home

Identity Found in God

​The Father and His Child
The Father
The Child
The Family of God
The Father of Compassion
The Love that Endures
The Heavenly Home
Living as a Child of God

The Heavenly Home
 
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  John 14:2
 
We are just beginning the stage of life of our children heading out for college.  While our youngest satisfied our completed family who now filled each chair around the dinner table, six years later, our oldest left one chair empty again as he headed off to college four hours away.  Some days I sit back and imagine…I imagine the journey of one by one the kids stepping out into their next chapter of life.  I try and wonder where they might end up, who they may marry, how many children they might have.  Then I smile at the image I get of all of them bringing their families back home.  I get excited at the thought of preparing food and beds for them to gather back together, back home - reminiscing, telling stories and having a wonderful time as a growing family.
 
It may not go exactly as I imagine, but it also prompts me to wonder if maybe this is what God has in mind.  As we have already explored, God brought us into this world. He breathed life into us.  We exist because as I heard Pastor Bruxy Cavey put it, “He didn’t want to live in this universe without you.”  Each one of us is here to be in relationship with each other, and with God, for eternity.  He is our Father, we are His children.  Currently His kids, physically speaking, aren’t residing in His neighborhood.  But I’m pretty sure there’s a smile on His face when His children come home to the Heavenly home He has prepared.
 
John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 
 
As Christians, those who have surrendered our lives to Christ, those who have chosen to follow the Lord, we have hope.  We are passing through this life on earth, this temporary dwelling place, knowing that eventually we will be moving to a place He is preparing for us. 
 
Speaking of moving, that is something our family has become accustomed to…From OH to VA to OH to PA to OH.  Each move required a slightly larger truck than the move before.  Each move included a larger number of children than the time before.  In each of our moves we had to make arrangements on both ends of the move – where we are moving from and where we are moving to…Packing boxes, loading stuff…It’s a lot of work preparing for a move. 
 
So, when I consider the words of Jesus, “I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  I am relieved!  When my move from this world to heaven takes place, guess what, I don’t have to pack or unpack  a thing!  It will all be ready for me – no sense putting things in boxes, I can’t take them with me!
 
I am sure our vision of our Heavenly home front differs from each other.  I’ll never forget a dear precious friend who I greatly respected described how she was certain that there would be a room in heaven that was designated for hymns, and she knew that is where she would be hanging out.  She has since been called home, and I imagine she is soaking it all in – in the room of hymns!
 
Can we realize that this dwelling is temporary?  We were created to be in relationship with our Father.  God dwelled among the Israelites in the Holy of Holies.  Jesus and the Holy Spirit dwell in us.  The day will come when we get to finally move back home and dwell amongst God in perfection, as it was intended to be.
 
The table has been set.  Your room is being prepared.  He loves you so much and is looking forward to your homecoming.  Take time and imagine and envision what your eternal home will be like with your Father.  He is preparing a place just for you!