“I can’t wait to be done with this.” I remember saying this to my husband as we sat for one last time on our deck in Connecticut. I loved our church and all of the people that we had met there. However, I was really looking forward to my husband getting out of the military and making a permanent home for our family. Unfortunately, the home buying process has not been what I had hoped it would be. I find myself disappointed when I should be used to temporary accommodations. At the same time, I’m challenged by Scripture to be grateful for all God has brought us through. I had incorrectly assumed that separating from the military would mean I would find security in purchasing a home. In the midst of all of this, I’m reminded of what a sweet military spouse and friend said to me at our last duty station, “this Earth is not our home.”
“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. “
Hebrews 11:16
It is natural for women to want a home to raise their children. We love to nest and make things welcoming and cozy. However, our entire life on Earth is temporary. For the Christian, we long for our truly permanent dwelling place with Christ.
“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…”
1 Peter 1:3-4
Our inheritance is not in a home, our inheritance is in eternity with Christ. Our hope should lie in, and with, the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike the world, we, as Christians, can rest easy knowing that God is guarding us and our inheritance until we reach the eternal state.
“Unlike the world, we, as Christians, can rest easy knowing that God is guarding us and our inheritance until we reach the eternal state.”
So whether you are in a temporary or permanent living situation, ultimately, everything on this Earth is temporary and finite. Military families are used to temporary dwellings. That is one thing I appreciated about the military life. Through all the moves God taught me to look forward to eternity with Christ as opposed to always longing for a permanent home on Earth. That being said, we all have to live somewhere. So the question is not where or how long we live, but rather for what purpose will we use our homes.
All things should be done for the glory of God.
“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
The manner in which we utilize our homes is more important to God than in what place or time. For the Christian, this means we use our home to be hospitable. Christian men and women don’t find their worth in their homes, but in Christ alone. Therefore, we use our home as a place to welcome, love, and serve others. We can glorify God in every circumstance, whether temporary or permanent, by opening our homes to our neighbors, church, and community. As we open our homes to people and fellowship with one another, we get to imperfectly resemble heaven on earth.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
1 Peter 4:8-9
With this knowledge and application of truth, we can find peace in our temporary dwelling on Earth. Our ultimate hope rests in the reality that our home is eternally guarded with Christ, and our inheritance is unfading.
Rachel is a wife and mother of four young children. She has a love for listening to expository preaching, theology, and doctrine. She desires to make Christ known through her marriage, parenting, and in every word and deed.
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