By Rev. Michael Wakeland
One of my mother’s favorite hymns was “I’m But a Stranger Here, Heaven Is My Home.” As a child, I really thought this old hymn was pretty depressing, as it talks about earth being a dreary, sorrow-filled place. But, as I lived a few more years, the truth of this hymn became a lot clearer for me, as did the wonderful promise of eternal life that we are given by our God.
I recall visiting with one older member of our community who remarked to me: “Getting old isn’t for sissies.” I chuckled at this, but understood, as they went on and explained some of the health challenges and difficulties they were dealing with, along with the grief and sadness that was the result of the death of many of their friends and family members.
Dealing with suffering and death is part of our reality since we live in a world corrupted by sin. But God has given us an answer to this. Jesus tells us clearly in John 16:33b (ESV): “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” By His death and resurrection, Jesus has overcome the power of sin, death, and the devil, and gives the gift of eternal life to all who believe in Him.
This doesn’t take away the pain that we experience when faced with suffering or the death of someone we love; however, it does give us the wonderful promise that this pain and grief will not last forever.
God has promised us a new reality, which is described in Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV):
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
This is the promise that the hymn writer is trusting in as the final verse of the hymn says: “Therefore I murmur not, Heaven is my home, Whate’er my earthly lot, Heaven is my home; and I shall surely stand, There at my Lord’s right hand, Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.”
May God’s peace fill your heart and mind as you continue your journey home!
The Rev. Michael Wakeland is a retired pastor and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Worship Anew.