This world is not our home
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Russ Molosiwa
Location : GABORONE
Event : Column-Mokanoki
Allow me to conclude our last month`s topic, the third metaphor of life. Let me start the ball rolling with Rick Warren`s words, “Compared with other centuries, life has never been easier for much of the Western world. We are constantly entertained, amused, and catered to. With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, it`s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about. Only as we remember that life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment will the appeal of these things lose their grip on our lives. We are preparing for something even better.” “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can`t see now will last forever.”
The fact that earth is not our ultimate home explains why, as followers of Jesus, we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world. It also explains why some of God`s promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair. This is not the end of the story.
In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life – longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We`re not completely happy here because we`re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.
A fish would never be happy living on land because it was made for water. An eagle could never feel satisfied if it wasn`t allowed to fly. You will never feel completely satisfied on earth, because you were made for more. You will have happy moments here but nothing compared with what God has planned for you.
Realising that life on earth is just a temporary assignment you should radically alter your values. Eternal values, not temporal ones, should become the deciding factor for your decisions. As C.S. Lewis observed, “All that is not eternal is eternally useless.” The Bible says, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
It is a fatal mistake to assume that God`s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry. Never focus on temporary crowns.
Paul was faithful, yet he ended up in prison. John the Baptist was faithful but he was beheaded. Millions of faithful people have been martyred, have lost everything, or have come to the end of life with nothing to show for it. But the end of life is not the end!
In God`s eyes, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity. The Bible says this about God`s Hall of Fame: “All these great people died in faith. They did not get the things that God promised his people, but saw them coming far in the future and were glad. They said they were like visitors and stranger on earth….they were waiting for a better country – a heavenly country. So God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.” Your time on earth is not the complete story of your life. You must wait until heaven for the rest of the chapters. It takes faith to live on earth as a foreigner.
You will not be in heaven two seconds before you cry out, “Why did I place so much importance on things that were so temporary? What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time, energy, and concern on what wasn`t going to last?”
When life gets tough, when you`re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won`t leave home – you`ll go home. See you next time, except predators. ENDS
