Preparing The Home
(This week I’m sharing the song “With You Always” to accompany this blog)[audio mp3="http://chrisatkins.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/With-You-Always.mp3"][/audio]A week and a half ago we signed the final paperwork on our new home in Florida. God’s fingerprints were all over the process of our getting this house, and we are very thankful to Him for the place he has provided. The closing was exciting for Terese and me, but our enthusiasm was tempered with the knowledge that our new house wasn’t quite ready for us to move into it. There was —and still is— work that needed to be done: painting, sealing of concrete, and more. While Terese is in Minnesota, I have been busy meeting with contractors, moving furniture out of storage, building shelving, organizing things, and putting a variety of items away. With boxes in the garage and furniture that needs to be re-assembled and put into place, it looks like a house awaiting occupancy. Even though we have the legal documents that certify that it is our house, we still haven’t taken occupancy. I am counting the days when Terese arrives, and we can finally enjoy our home together.That brings me to what Jesus is doing right now for you and me.There is an important facet of living a life of worship that is future-oriented. Scripture scholars use the word “eschatology” that has to do with studying the end of all things and the inauguration of God’s forever kingdom that is unveiled in the Bible. Most people think only about the judgment part of this, but I ask you also to consider the beautiful, beyond-description facet that awaits all those who say yes to Jesus Christ and allow Him to rule and live in their hearts and lives.There is a fascinating passage in the Bible where Jesus told His disciples what part of His future work—after the cross, resurrection, and ascension to the Father—would be. Jesus said,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. “ John 14:1-3
Even as He lives in us, Jesus is also preparing a place for us in God’s eternal kingdom. Because He is the ever-present God, Jesus fulfills His promise to be with us at all times (“I am with you always, even to the end of the age”) and also be at work preparing our future home in God’s eternal kingdom. This is difficult to fathom with our limited human understanding. It is also even more awesome to ponder the fact that Jesus Christ is at this very moment working on our future home with Him in the presence of our heavenly Father!When I pause to consider God’s great love that causes Him to prepare a future, forever place for me in His household, I cannot help but worship Him!My wife hasn’t yet seen the custom painted walls and beautiful crown molding that was just installed. I try to describe it to her, but no words can compare to the coming time when Terese will experience it in person, see it with her own eyes, and live with me in our new home. It’s the same with our eternal home. There are hints and descriptions in Scripture of the fantastic, glorious future and home that awaits all who love and follow Jesus. However, the Bible also makes it clear that human descriptions can’t compare to the actual experience of living with the Triune God— The Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—in the forever home that awaits us:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Nothing will compare to being with Jesus in the brand new, forever dwelling that is right now being reserved for all Christ followers. When we receive Jesus Christ and relinquish control of our lives to Him, we are given the Holy Spirit—God’s very presence and power. The Holy Spirit not only empowers us to live in and for God each day, but is also the perfect down payment or guarantee of our future home with him. It is an unimaginably beautiful place that Jesus is preparing for all of us……a new home awaiting its future and forever occupants.God bless you!Chris Atkins