Issue 1223 – A Tunnel – August 16, 2023
We pass this spot when we head to Abbotsford’s Matsqui Trail Regional Park. It’s a popular park for people of all ages.
The tunnel has always caught my eye, and I have wanted to stop and take a photo for several years. Last night, I finally did it on the way home from walking the granddog.
Looking through the short tunnel reminds me of the journey of life. We are all headed for the dark time of death, but death can no longer hold on to Christians. It is simply a way station to a much better place.
As believers, it can truly be said that this world is not our home. We are passing through on a pilgrimage of being made ever more like Jesus. We have been forgiven our sin (justification) and are being made holy (sanctification). We have a brief stop with death and are then at our true and final home, made entirely holy and with our Lord forever.
As I write these words, a familiar gospel tune plays in the back of my brain. “I Can’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore” has been recorded by many artists and was a staple at “the cowboy church” and many gospel concerts.
There is truth in that song. I enjoy my life here and feel blessed by God in many ways. Yet, a part of me longs to be at home with Jesus.
I know that when the time is right, He will call all believers home to be with Him. Even as I write this, I know He is building a place for us.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. John 14:1-4
There is a sense in which that passage is metaphorical. In the Jewish custom of the day, a man who was to be married added onto His family home so that there would be a home for his new bride. Jesus is preparing a place for His bride, the church. What a place it will be.
Revelation chapters 21 and 22 describe our new home, which sounds beautiful.
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.” Revelation 21:1-4
I cannot imagine how beautiful it will be. Everything will be freed from the corruption of sin and as God designed it to be. That includes you and me.
There comes a time when we will all pass through the tunnel. The believer to a time of eternal blessing and the non-believer to a place of eternal torment.
As long as they have breath, there is an opportunity for non-believers to change tracks and get on board the glory train. We all pass through the station of death, but the final destinations are so different.
If you know Jesus, give Him thanks today for the gift of salvation and eternal life. If you don’t know Him, there is still time to change destinations, but don’t delay. None of us knows when we will pass through that tunnel.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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