Ever been on a road trip?
Well, I have – several! But the one that sticks out in my mind is the one I took with my family in 2002.
It all started with a random remark from my banjo-playing youngest son – "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to visit Nashville?" Well, the rest was history. We planned a trip that took us 5,445 miles in 9 days – (I know, because we recorded every single mile on the odometer!)
We retraced Route 66 all the way to St. Louis, Missouri – and then we dropped down into Tennessee, and made our way west through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona – until we reached sunny California again.
I remember that last stretch home. We decided around 9:00 PM one night in Arizona that we were done…finished…kaput. My oldest son and I felt wide awake. So, we looked at each other and thought – why pay for a night in the hotel? Let's just get on the road and get home…
It was a very, very looooonnnggg overnight marathon!
I think we single-handedly cleaned out every Starbuck's Frappucino in every gas station along the way! Caffeine was our best friend. We arrived home early the next morning – none the worse for wear – though a bit bedraggled…
Life is like that, isn't it?
We travel a long journey, logging many miles on the experience odometer – enjoying the ride – but always heading to a final destination. We're all headed home.
Today's "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this road trip.
"But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place. And the people…will come back to claim their inheritance…Those who have been rescued will go up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem…And the LORD himself will be king." (Obadiah 17, 21)
Obadiah was bringing God's message of judgment to the land of Edom. But he was also talking about the restoration of the people of Israel. He acknowledged that the journey would be long, and bumpy, and fraught with suffering and trials. But, he also assured them that they were heading to a final destination.
They were headed home.
We are, too.
Things aren't much different than they were in Obadiah's day. We wonder how much longer evil will continue. We long to be released from the effects of sin. We want to arrive at our final destination – where we can rest in the eternal blessings of our heavenly home.
We'll get there, my friends.
God has promised that.
He has promised a destination – a home with Him forever.
He has promised a refuge for those of us who will escape eternal judgment. A holy place – a place set apart, a place prepared. A place where we will claim our inheritance bought by Jesus on the cross.
We who have been rescued, are making our way to Jerusalem.
And once we get there, we will reach the feet of the LORD – we will be home.
"And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:2-4)
Yes, I'm a bit exhausted from the long haul home! And these last miles, toward the tail end of my journey, are the hardest at times. But I have my eyes fixed on my destination.
I'm headed home.
And what a glorious home it is!
A home with the Lord…forever.
Are you making your way to Jerusalem?
"When in doubt, search God out!"
I am I am I am! (making my way to Jerusalem). That passage from Revelation is a favorite of mine! I can't wait to go home but I know there is a lot to be done before God is ready to call us home and in the meantime we live in that fallen world with evil and despair, BUT WE HAVE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS to get out to those who need it so they too will be excited to go home and know that although the journey is weary, there is always hope ahead!!
ReplyDeletehow exciting with that road trip. But I'm with you, it is always good to go home and get out of that car!! We traveled across country once from Oregon to Washington DC for my sister's wedding, took two weeks to do so and we had a 2-month old and a 3-1/2 year old. WHAT WERE WE THINKING????????
enjoy the day!
betty
Hi Sharon
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. Kerrie sent me an Australian calender, it has bible verses on it and the one for today is rev 21-4 "There will be no more death, mourning or pain. Yesterday's was "Christ in you the hope of glory"
God Bless - Nita.
After being out of town for the last few days, I feel nothing but total exhaustion right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that when I reach my REAL home, I won't be weary from the journey but full able to leap about like a child.
And that's exactly what I intend to do.
But for today, I'm too pooped to pop.
This one is a good one - we all do have but one destination - home.
ReplyDeleteWe are all going home.
All of us will be going home when this live on earth is over. God Bless You.
ReplyDeleteI just can't sleep tonight, and I often come here when I can't. What a thought when your mind is troubled...We who have been rescued, are making our way to Jerusalem. Amen to that!
ReplyDeleteBetty - First of all, I think your road trip beats mine!! What WERE you thinking?? And yes, I'm so glad to be walking on this journey home with you. We have much to accomplish along the way, but it's good to know that we're heading home, with hearts full of hope, and God's roadmap (His Word) to guide us.
ReplyDeleteNita - How wonderful! Yes, Christ is our hope of glory. In Him, we abide in the assurance of an eternity without pain or suffering or sadness. Oh, what a wonderful future He has bought for us with His blood!
Debbie - I'll be right next to you leaping like a child, too. Can we jiggle our shoulders, and swing our hips, and bobble our heads, too? Can we give snaps and spiritual jazz hands? I'm sorta planning on it. Rest up - and again, congrats on the new grad!
Sandie - Home. Doesn't that just sound so inviting? And, according to the Lord, we've got mansions waiting!! Can't wait.
JT - This life is a hard, hard journey sometimes. And I don't think I could do it without the hope of my final destination. I'm just a temporary resident here - home is ahead of me.
Anita - What a wonderful comment - thank you so much. Truth be told, I often write these words because I need the comfort. My troubled heart needs to be reminded - all these current troubles are temporary. Someday, I'll be home. I've been rescued - ah, such sweet words.
GOD BLESS!