I’ve been pondering a conversation I had with my son last week. I love that kid. He’s a deep sensitive thinker (like his daddy), and I love to see the Holy Spirit working in his heart. “Mom,” he said, “ missing someone is different than being lonely.” “Yes, it is." I said, "Being lonely is not being connected to anyone. That can happen if you are by yourself, but you can even be lonely in a crowded room surrounded by people if you have no connection with them.” “Like being the new kid at school. I remember feeling like that.” “But you know we never have to feel alone because God has given us the Holy Spirit who is always with us.” “Yah, yah, Mom, I know.” (I just met the 3 sentence rule!) “We miss Dad when he’s at work but that’s only temporary. And we miss people we love that have died like Great Grandpa and Great Grandma, Papa Bill and Gi Gi. But that’s temporary too, because since they trusted Jesus, we’ll see them in heaven.” God is clearly working on this young man’s heart. Thank you, God, that my son has you in his heart.
After that conversation I remembered the song “Homesick” by Mercy Me. It came out right before my mom died, and I remember listening to it then and feeling sad but comforted by it during that grieving time. I still miss my mom, but now I can see things with joy that remind me of her and smile because I know that I’m just missing her and it’s only temporary. We’re still connected by God’s promises and grace.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to keep that eternal perspective and truly long for heaven. I know that if my finite mind could truly understand what God has offered us and is preparing for us, I would miss heaven immeasurably. After Paul saw heaven he said, “(I) was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.” (II Cor. 12:4) Paul continually reminds us of the inconceivable eternal glory that awaits us:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him. (I Cor. 2:9)
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (II Cor. 4:17)
Just a chance to see those we miss is enough to make us long for heaven, but He also promises us glory. I’m like a little kid, complaining about not being able to play in my sandbox outside when Disneyland is awaiting me. God promises us a home in heaven. This world is not our home. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20-21)
God has also promised us a relationship with Him, and we don’t even have to wait for that. While we might be missing people, we are not alone. He wants us to seek him, and He will respond to us. "....the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2
I want to long for heaven more and feel God’s presence more. We are never alone! As much as I don’t want to have to miss my husband, I want to miss God more! David’s longings to see and feel God’s presence and glory are so apparent in the Psalms. My longing for more of God is increasing, and as I actively pursue Him, He reveals Himself more and more. I think I’ll read the Psalms later.
I was musing about this today on my way home from taking my kids to school, and the song that came on the radio was Mercy Me’s “Homesick.” OK,OK, God, thanks for whispering to me this morning. I’ll go home and blog…maybe someone else will long more for You and heaven too!
