Treasure Incorruptible

"No eye has seen, no ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Cor. 2:9

Several years ago, two dear family members lost much of what they had in this world…their home, a solid business… The recession of 2007-2009 came like a tsunami. But these were God’s people, so they never lost their divine perspective. They knew that their treasure was not in this life, and they held on to hope, knowing that if God so chose, He could easily turn things around for them in the future. Not only did they not lose hope, they were actively generous in the hard moments. They gave their lives to caring for 2 ailing and aging parents, they blessed others with whatever resources they could, and they continued to worship their Lord. God provided good jobs for them, but owning a home again was a dream they tried not to hold on to too tightly. They resolved to be content with their living circumstances, whatever God brought them.

Well, last night, we had the JOY of helping them move from a tiny cottage (read: the whole place would fit in my living room) they’d been renting into a lovely new home God enabled them to build on a spacious lot where they can do a little agriculture! I was so excited for them as I considered all the ways they had given of themselves and endured difficult circumstances in the waiting years. They can spread out again, “put down some roots,” so to speak, and really build a new life again in this home with which God has blessed them.

And then I saw it…the Great Truth! We are all like these dear family members of mine if we belong to God! We are (or should be!) patiently enduring and using our time here on earth, waiting for God to bring us to our “true home” with Him in heaven. No matter what our homes here look like, God is preparing so much more for us in Heaven. It won’t even compare! Our “tiny cottages” here on earth will seem like just that when we finally see the place He has gone to prepare for us all. But in the meantime, we need to be preparing our hearts, shining our lights for Him, being generous in any way we can, and looking for the hope of His return.

Earthly blessing is wonderful, and God often gives that to His children in gracious ways, but our true home and hope lies far from here…in a land where moth and rust cannot destroy, nor thieves break in and steal. Our treasure lies in a land of incorruptible glory.

Be encouraged today friends, whether it’s poor health, “tsunami-hit” financial strain, or relationships that never seem to get easier…your true home is waiting elsewhere with your God!