Traveling On – Paula Hill
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
An old song in the hymn book comes to my mind at times:
This world is not my home, I’m only passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
A song written by B.J.Thomas not as many years ago says, “Sometimes when I’m dreaming, it comes as no surprise.That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes. I’m going home . . . where I belong.”
These words remind me why there are times I feel so dis- contented with things. It’s certainly not because I’m ungrateful for God’s many blessings. In fact, it comes sometimes when things just couldn’t be any better—when the sun is shining bright and my family is doing great—but there’s just a feeling of not belonging, like I don’t really fit anywhere in this world.
It’s so easy to forget sometimes that we are in the world, but not of the world.Things seem so permanent and final. A pastor’s wife once said something I will never forget: “God expects us to plan like we will be here forever, but live like He could come any day.”We can’t use it as an excuse to check out on life, but it should always be a consolation to know that this is not our permanent home.
For a child of God, heaven is our final destination.We are only passing through this earth. Thank God for the earthly treasures He has so abundantly blessed us with, but our real treasures are laid up for us in heaven. Don’t be too discouraged when those feelings come. Just serve Him gladly, and remember, you are on a journey transitioning to your final home. Be ready.The call could come anytime to sign the final papers to transfer the deed. There’s a mansion waiting for you.