I like to travel all over the world. I have traveled to a few different countries in the last ten years, most of them on missionary trips. Sometimes I wish I was a millionaire so I would be able to travel even more.
Among my favorite destinations to visit are Israel, Hawaii, Alaska (only in the summer), Australia, the Canary Islands and almost every nation located along the Mediterranean Sea. There are many beautiful places on this Earth that are worthy of a visit.
Being a millionaire would allow me to travel to some of those exotic locations, but I would rather be a famous (or at least well-known) evangelist to take the Gospel all over the world.
One can dream, right?
Right now, I find myself on a plane, traveling once again. This time, though, I am coming home. I have spent two weeks helping my son in Omaha, but now is time to return to my own house.
Thinking about this latest trip reminds me that I am not home yet. No, I am not referring to the fact that the plane hasn’t yet landed in sunny Florida, but that I have not arrived in heaven, my real home.
I enjoyed my time in Omaha with my family, but it was also filled with work, pain and discomfort. The same happens to all Christians on this Earth. We might have a few days of joy here and there in this planet, but there is also pain, sadness, stress and even death.
I can’t wait for the plane to land in Orlando, Florida. The cold days in Nebraska will soon be only but a memory. I can’t wait for the day when I reach my heavenly home. This world is too cold, dark and filled with sin and death. This world is not my home.
Hebrews 11:13-16 summarizes my feelings so much better:
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Emphasis mine)
Lord Jesus, please come and take me home with you. This is the best place for me (Philippians 1:23). This is my real country (Philippians 3:20). This is where I want to be for all eternity.
Alexander Gonzalez
