HOME!

John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

A number of years ago I was on a mission’s trip in China. It had been a good trip. I have wonderful memories of seeing God at work through the training of Christian Believers, as well as opportunities to minister His precious Word to spiritually hungry individuals. The twelve day trip came to an end. Our team felt blessed but weary and ready for the trip home! Home – to the familiar, to loved ones, to security. Just one night before our departure, we were alarmed to learn that all flights out of the airport had been cancelled for at least the next two days! We learned that flights had been cancelled, worldwide, because of the attack on and in our country, an event we now refer to as “9/11!” Disappointment, wondering how my loved ones at home were faring, and questioning if I really would get on my way in a couple of days now added to the weariness. It was overwhelming! To make matters worse, all of my clothing, planned to last the twelve days of the trip, had now been well worn and was more than ready for the washing machine back at our house – back home! I opened my suitcase and selected two days of shirts and pants that could be wearable without knocking people out sitting next to me on the flight back to the States – back to my home! Two long days passed. I headed to the airport in Beijing where I joined the long security check lines. I wasn’t at all prepared for what came next! Because of stricter security measures, everyone had to open their suitcases so they could be inspected by hand. I felt sorry for the person who had to root through my suitcase filled with DIRTY clothing! Added to this embarrassment was a greater one. TV news cameras were present to document the process. A reporter and photographer leaned over MY open suitcase recording, for who-knows-how-many-people-to-see, my dirty outer wear – and underwear!!! Actually, the word “embarrassed” doesn’t adequately describe how I felt! Yet, even that couldn’t overshadow the excitement and relief that I was FINALLY on my way home!!!

When I arrived at the Philadelphia Airport and was greeted with hugs and kisses by my wife, the extra days of waiting to depart China, the embarrassment of having my “undies” publicly exposed and feeling badly for the person sitting next to me on the long flight in my sorely-needing-to-be-laundered-clothing melted away from the front of my mind. I was finally home. It was a reward well worth the wait!

Dear Friends, where you now live – your country, state, county, city or town, your house – you may call “home.” It’s where you feel safe and comfortable; but, it pales in comparison to the Home that awaits you, the one Jesus, Himself, is preparing for those who believe in Him. That Home is a dwelling place, yes; but more than that, it’s a place of reunion with those whose absence from this home here on earth we grieve. And, it’s a place where we’ll be gathered into the welcoming arms of Jesus, free from all the “dirty laundry” on this earth. He took care of that on the Cross!

I’m ready for the greatest transport ever. “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” In the meantime, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. Amen.”