Homesick

In this time of “stay-at-home” policies, we are certainly not getting homesick. Actually, many are sick of staying home, and finally are starting to get out and attempt to resume some “normal” activities.

They say ‘home is where the heart is’ and ‘home is where you hang your hat’ and ‘home sweet home’ and ‘there’s no place like home.’ Home is where we keep our treasures, those things that are most precious to us, and things that have great worth to us. Jesus said in the parable of the lost coin the woman lit a lamp and swept her house carefully until she found it. And when she found it, she called her neighbors to rejoice with her in the finding of it. He previously explained in the parable of the lost sheep there is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents than over the 99 righteous people who do not need to repent. (Luke 15)

We have homes on this earth on which we spend a lot of time (and money) making exactly the way we want it. Having and making a home is important, it’s one of the pillars of societies around the world. We celebrate when our sons and daughters and friends (and ourselves) step out to make a home, and we lament losing or having to give up our home.

There is an old gospel song called Beulah Land that says:

I’m kind of homesick for a country
To which I’ve never been before
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken
For time won’t matter anymore

Beulah Land I’m longing for you;
And some day on thee I’ll stand.
There my home shall be eternal,
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.

I’m looking now, just across the river,
To where my faith shall end in sight.
There’s just a few more days to labor,
Then I will take my heavenly flight.

Jesus comforted his disciples saying “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ²My Father’s house (home) has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³And 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.”  (John 14)

Jesus said ¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6)

Another old gospel song many of us learned as children is I’ve Got A Mansion:

I’m satisfied with Just a cottage below,
A little silver, and a little gold,
But in that city where the ransomed will shine,
I’ve got a gold one that’s silver lined.

I’ve got a mansion just over the hill top,
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old,
And some day yonder we will never more wander,
But walk on streets that are purest gold.

Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely,
I’m not discouraged – I’m heaven bound!
I’m just a pilgrim in search of a city,
I’ve got a mansion a harp and a crown.

I’ve got a mansion just over the hill top,
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old,
And some day yonder we will never more wander,
And walk on streets that are purest gold.

Homesick:  Longing for Home where there is comfort, rest, joy, and complete contentment. No tears, no sorrow, no pain, no trouble, no fear, no worries.

The key to our Home is found at the Empty Tomb, forged on the Cross of grace and redemption by the Blood of Jesus, shed as the Ultimate Sacrifice for our sin, tried and tested and guaranteed to unlock the Gates of Heaven.