We’re Not Home Yet!

In thinking about this particular subject, I thought about a statement made by C.S. Lewis about “pleasant inns” in his book entitled, The Problem of Pain. He said these words, “The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world. But joy, pleasure, and merriment, He has scattered broadcast. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” Wow! What a passionate and expressive reminder that we’re not home yet! In other words, though God gets our attention through the pain that comes through this world, the purpose of the pain and dissatisfaction serves to remind us, we’re not home yet! As believers, we are called by God to renew our minds and hearts to firmly grasp the biblical teaching that we are passing through this world as pilgrims and strangers. Speaking of believers, the writer Hebrews says, (13) “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (14) For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. (15) And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) 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 11:13-16). We can never allow ourselves to become comfortable here. We are merely sojourners passing through this world on our way to glory. From the first promise of redemption in the garden (Genesis 3:15) to the glorious heavenly vision of the City of God (Revelation 22), the whole of Scripture focuses on the pilgrimage for which God has redeemed His people. Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D.