The Better Land

We are not home until we get there.  Until we get there, we live as strangers in a land others call our home, but our heart will not let us settle, for the eyes of the heart are set on a distant land not yet seen.  We keep looking ahead down a road never traveled with only the hope that the unseen One who leads is there with us and that He knows the way.  We go with Him only according to His promise.  He said He knows the way. 

Actually, He said, "I am the way."  (John 14:6).  We go, taking Him at His word.  We go with Him assured that what we hope for and cannot be seen is truly up ahead where He is taking us. (Hebrews 11:1)   To put it in a more profane vernacular, we go toward that Home knowing we cannot go if we hedge our bets.  It is all or nothing on this journey.  We can take nothing with us.  There is no backpack full of supplies to carry.  There can be no map in our hip pocket to pull out in case the way becomes more like an overgrown mountain trail instead of some well lighted expressway with signs that give both direction and assurance.  The One leading said long ago that those who follow must live a life of radical self denial even to the point of selling all and giving to the poor before starting the journey.  (Matthew 16:24. Mark 10:21).  We come with nothing.  We travel with nothing.  We arrive with nothing.  It is the way Home.

Although we may not arrive at Home today, we could.  What is certain is that we shall.  It is what He has planned.     It is what we seek.  It is not that we are not content to be where we are.  Instead, it is that we live with a longing for another country to which our heart truly belongs.  It is as the One who created us and set us forth has spoke of our heart desiring and longing for a better country, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:7-8).  The road may be a hard one, but we have seen it by faith and our heart longs for it. (Hebrews 11:1).