Longing for Home
Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16 (NIV)
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Reflection
In a world filled with fleeting moments and temporary pleasures, this scripture points out an important truth – that everything we view in life gains deeper meaning when looked at through the lens of eternity. The faith journey of Abraham serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of fixing our eyes on the eternal perspective. Abraham's obedience was not just a response to a call of where to live; it was an act of faith regarding a promise that went beyond the temporary.
Abraham’s willingness to step into the unknown was fueled by the assurance that God's promises are not confined by the limits of earthly circumstances. I am sure Abraham struggled because his situation was far from glamorous. At times he was probably concerned thinking he didn't have what he thought he needed, but as he dwelled in tents, he embraced the reality that this world was not his final destination.
In our own faith journeys, this principle remains unchanged. What we fix our eyes on will determine our spiritual health. When our gaze is fixed on what we want and what is temporary, we risk being consumed by the anxieties and uncertainties of this world. However, when our eyes are steadfastly set on the eternal promises of God, a profound shift occurs. The challenges we face, the trials we endure, the joys we experience, and the seasons of waiting all find their proper place in the narrative of God's eternal plan. We begin longing for our true (and eternal) home.
As we navigate the complexities of life, let us follow the example of those who walked before us in faith. Embrace the eternal perspective, confident that God is preparing a city for us — a place where the promises of God will find their ultimate fulfillment. There is power in fixing our eyes on the eternal. In doing so, we align ourselves with a reality that surpasses the temporary and points to the everlasting glory of God.
Action Steps
1. What are your eyes fixed on today? Are they fixed on what you want or what you don't have? Or are your eyes fixed on the eternal prize that is the promise of spending eternity with God?
2. Take some time and recognize where your eyes have settled. Spend some time in God’s presence and ask Him to help shift your gaze to His eternal perspective.
Prayer
God, I am sorry for every time I have allowed my heart to get distracted by my own desires. I know that in You I have everything that I need to walk through this life. I pray that You will help me fix my eyes on You and bring me back to You every time I get distracted. I love You, Lord. Amen.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Reflection
In a world filled with fleeting moments and temporary pleasures, this scripture points out an important truth – that everything we view in life gains deeper meaning when looked at through the lens of eternity. The faith journey of Abraham serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of fixing our eyes on the eternal perspective. Abraham's obedience was not just a response to a call of where to live; it was an act of faith regarding a promise that went beyond the temporary.
Abraham’s willingness to step into the unknown was fueled by the assurance that God's promises are not confined by the limits of earthly circumstances. I am sure Abraham struggled because his situation was far from glamorous. At times he was probably concerned thinking he didn't have what he thought he needed, but as he dwelled in tents, he embraced the reality that this world was not his final destination.
In our own faith journeys, this principle remains unchanged. What we fix our eyes on will determine our spiritual health. When our gaze is fixed on what we want and what is temporary, we risk being consumed by the anxieties and uncertainties of this world. However, when our eyes are steadfastly set on the eternal promises of God, a profound shift occurs. The challenges we face, the trials we endure, the joys we experience, and the seasons of waiting all find their proper place in the narrative of God's eternal plan. We begin longing for our true (and eternal) home.
As we navigate the complexities of life, let us follow the example of those who walked before us in faith. Embrace the eternal perspective, confident that God is preparing a city for us — a place where the promises of God will find their ultimate fulfillment. There is power in fixing our eyes on the eternal. In doing so, we align ourselves with a reality that surpasses the temporary and points to the everlasting glory of God.
Action Steps
1. What are your eyes fixed on today? Are they fixed on what you want or what you don't have? Or are your eyes fixed on the eternal prize that is the promise of spending eternity with God?
2. Take some time and recognize where your eyes have settled. Spend some time in God’s presence and ask Him to help shift your gaze to His eternal perspective.
Prayer
God, I am sorry for every time I have allowed my heart to get distracted by my own desires. I know that in You I have everything that I need to walk through this life. I pray that You will help me fix my eyes on You and bring me back to You every time I get distracted. I love You, Lord. Amen.
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