Longing for Home?

Lately, I've encorporated a couple of old hymnals into my personal prayer time with the Lord. I grew up on many of these old hymns, and despite their age in years, they still touch my heart as if I were singing them for the first time. During my quiet time, just me, God, and my cup of coffee, I flip through a hymnal and sing a few familiar ones or just read the words of those I've never heard before.

One thing that has been overwhelmingly obvious to me is that many of these old songs focused on the authors' longing for heaven and the fact that this world is not our home. Here are a few examples of song titles that you may or may not be familiar with:

Longing for Home
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
Mansion Over the Hilltop
I'll Fly Away
Peace in the Valley
O Happy Day
Sweet By and By
Where We'll Never Grow Old

These hymns speak of a land filled with mansions, streets of gold, and no more sickness or heartache. A land where all our work is done, where we have no more cares. A land of light where there is no darkness. Blooming flowers, heavenly sunshine, all while walking hand in hand with Christ Himself.

It's made me question my own longing for heaven. Sure, there are times of trials, heartache, and worry that leads me to long for heaven, but what about during the good times? Have we made earth such a satisfying place to live with all our technology, entertainment, and material possessions that we fail to have a longing, a desire, an aching pain that reminds us that this world is not our home?

Questions to ponder:

1. How much time do you spend longing for heaven?

2. What can you do on a daily basis to remind yourself that this world is not our home?

Have a glorious day!