This World Is Not Our Home | Hebrews 13:14

For this world is not our permanent home; we
are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 13:14 NLT (Read Full Chapter)

This World Is Not Our Home …

Can you relate to this verse? I sure can!

The New American Standard Version uses the word ‘seeking‘ in place of ‘looking forward to‘ and according to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, seeking means to inquire for, seek diligently, to wish for or crave.

This World Is Not Our Home | Hebrews 13:14

2 Corinthians 5:2-4 tells us that we grow weary in our present bodies, and we long (strong feeling of need or desire, ache, crave) to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing and in our earthly bodies we groan and sigh. It’s not that we want to die. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies, so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you …” (Ps 63:1)

During the past few years, God has brought these verses to light in my life.

I had to leave my home in Kalispell and move back out here to Bigfork with my mom. Oh my gosh! It felt like I was going backward and not forward at all!! I thought I was going to die.

The pain, ridicule and judgment from others was unbearable! It might seem silly, but I felt great loss. And certain people made it even worse. I remember I finally said to one person, “Maybe I just need to be carried for awhile.” In other words, “Leave me alone! Just let me grieve!

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him …” (Lam 3:25)

In all the heartache, God has shown me that what I truly long for is my citizenship in heaven. In the beginning God created us in perfectness and oneness with Him. However, when sin entered the picture, it changed everything. We now live in an imperfect world, on an imperfect earth which groans with the consequences of sin as well. UGH!

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives …” (phil 3:20)

This World Is Not Our Home | Hebrews 13:14

Many times I have said to God, “There’s always something!

Until the day I finally said to myself, “Really, Sue? Yes, there is always something and there’s always going to be something. You live in an imperfect world. That’s just the way it is. But, you serve a perfect God and you long to be with Him.” 

However, the truth of knowing there’s an ache in my heart to be with God makes it much easier for me to deal with the heartaches and grievances of life.

It’s not that I want to die because the journey is too hard. It’s that my spirit longs to be completely one with God. And, one day it will be.

” … He has set eternity in the human heart …” (Eccl 3:11)

But until that day, I love these words from Lysa TerKeurst: 

“While I can look to eternity one day, I don’t have to wait out my heavenly citizenship. I can bring heaven to earth today by living in such a forgiving way that my choices line up with God. And He will equip and empower me to do what He instructs.” (Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, Pg 42)

This World Is Not Our Home | Hebrews 13:14

I have forgiven those who hurt me so much during that time. God has done a work in all of our hearts. Complete trust is not there quite yet, but forgiveness is.

I have to share that I am still in my mom’s home. Now that mom is in heaven, my three siblings and I joint own the two acres and home. I am allowed to stay here while we work out the legality of subdividing it into four half-acre lots. One sibling has said the fairest way to decide who gets which lot is for us to number them one through four, put the numbers in a hat and then draw.

Hence whichever number we draw, that’s the half-acre lot we get. Only one half-acre has a dwelling, power and water, so at first that idea freaked me out because it put me in a constant state of not knowing where I’m going to put down roots. And believe me, I am a girl who loves having roots. 🙂

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit …” (Ps 34:18)

But one day as I sat in the living room weeping with a crushed heart and talking to God openly about all of it, I felt His peace come over me as He reminded me that He is with me wherever I go. Crying even more, the tears changed from grieving tears to tears of relief.

I have learned that although I do ache for a home of my own, there is still a semblance of peace because I belong to God and He is mine. I know I can trust Him and whatever happens, He is in it. And I am grateful not only for a roof over my head, but also for the years I was blessed to spend with my mom.💗

“Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will
pursue me all the days of my life, and I will
live in the house of the LORD forever.”
 Psalm 23:6

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18 Comments

  1. I love how God comforts you in whatever you are going through. I’ve felt His comfort as well and it’s so amazing. Your post is so comforting! ❤️

  2. Feeling unsettled is definitely tricky to deal with. Unfortunately, I know that struggle all too well. But God definitely uses those hardships to develop and grow our character. Our time will come. In the mean time, I pray God will give you all the peace and sustenance you need.
    God Bless
    Tasha Marie x

    1. Thank you Tasha!
      I’m so grateful for the positive side to our hardships, which also includes growing in a deeper relationship with God. I appreciate your prayers. 💗

  3. Hi Susan. I’m sorry for your loss and can relate to your situation. I grew up in Montana, as well. When I was a teenager, the family home burned down and it seemed we’d lost everything. When I look back I can see God’s hand delivering me from some difficult circumstances. May He be your comfort during this time.

    Blessings,
    Tammy

    1. Thank you Tammy! What part of Montana did you grow up in?
      The grief your family went through at the time of the fire must have been extremely difficult.
      Looking back and seeing how God carried us through difficult times makes it so much easier to go through the present trials, doesn’t it? He is so trustworthy. 💗💗

      1. I grew up in Broadview–one of the small towns outside of Billings. I am grateful for His goodness! <3

  4. So sorry for your loss, His peace and prayers for wisdom as you make decisions.

    1. Thank you so much, Rebecca!! 💗

  5. Powerful testimony of trusting in God through uncertainty – thank you for sharing!

    1. Hi Sharon! I am extremely thankful we have God on our side and that He can be trusted. 💗

  6. Great encouragement! As someone who is waiting to have my own home again, I’m thankful to be in a home and knowing God will provide in His timing. No matter where we live, our forever home is yet to come.

    1. Thank you, Shauntae! I said a prayer for you just now. God bless you!💗

  7. Susan, I can so easily relate to your desire to put down roots in a home of your own. I have moved so many times and keep saying this will be it. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s another move in our future for my husband’s job. Thank you for this wonderful encouragement that we already have
    roots in heaven!

    1. Thank you, Patti! It can be hard on the woman’s heart to not have roots during our journey here on earth. I am grateful for our roots in heaven, though. No one can take those away. ❤❤

  8. Amen. Looking forward to eternity with our Savior. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Hi Arricahess, it will be an awesome day, indeed.❤

  9. Thank you Susan for this beautiful post! I am looking forward to my Heavenly Home with Jesus forever and ever … ❤

    1. Donna, it will be so wonderful!! And we will reign with him together, along with many other friends and family.❤❤

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Susan

Susan resides in beautiful Big Sky Montana. An outdoorsy girl who loves to explore, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family in the gorgeous mountains of Glacier National Park! Susan is a very thoughtful and lovable Friend. Extremely compassionate, she is a very good listener and a hard worker. She loves good chocolate, reading, photography, writing, and enjoying long talks with God.

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