As we were coming across the mighty Mississippi on Thursday, I kept watching for the lights of Fort Madison. For me they were the lights of “home.” Ever since we moved from Canada to the US in 2004, Fort Madison has been my “hometown.” We ended up here because Pierre’s job was in the next town over. We liked the church in Fort Madison and wanted to be nearby. Joy Baptist Church quickly became home as well and we just keep being drawn back to this town BECAUSE of the church year after year.
Pierre’s job sent us around the country but we kept praying for God to bring us back to Iowa. He did in 2017 for a few more years and I was so happy. The lights of home beckoned me and I was ready to come.
As Christians, we have some lights of home that we are looking for. We have a home not of this world. We continue to look for the lights of another home. This home is Heaven – our eternal rest – and Jesus is will be the Light there.
My soul cries out, Oh Lord how long
‘Til my toiling ends and He calls me home.
Since I caught a glimpse of my home in the sky
Nothing in this world keeps me satisfied.
Heaven is prepared for those who know Christ as their Savior. Knowing that this world is just a blip in the massive expanse of eternity, we need to keep looking for those lights of our heavenly home. What a beautiful promise we have!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” I Corinthians 2:9
Seems I can hear the angels sing
With harps of gold and a thousand strings.
Earth holds no charms when I hear their songs
Sweet Beulah land, my home sweet home.
Earth holds no charm as we follow this life’s path. When we are sure of our salvation resting in Christ and Christ alone, then we see this earth and all its trinkets in a different light. Sure we can enjoy them but we know that the best is yet to come. Earth will pale in comparison to what is yet to come. The best we can do on earth is to remember that the affections of this world are meaningless and serving our Creator is far richer.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
Is that the lights of home I see?
Do I feel a breeze from the crystal sea.
Is that the Lord standing high on heaven’s balcony.
Is that the lights of home
A welcome sight to me.
Are you looking for those lights – the lights of our heavenly home? Do you know the ONLY WAY to see those lights? Christ, our Savior, died for us to have access to that eternal home. He IS the only way. Our works here on earth will not help us see the lights of home. Only our trust in Him.
Fort Madison will always hold a dear place in my heart as my earthly home (I had two babies here and my kids grew up here) and wherever we sojourn on this earth, I always have a great time and meet wonderful people who become family but that is because I’m just adding to my eternal family. Are you meeting me there?
