Do you ever feel like you are not at home here on earth? That the world’s gone crazy and you just can’t wrap your mind around it all?
There’s a reason for that…this is not your home. C. S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in the world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Solomon reminds us, “He (God) has planted eternity in the human heart,” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT). We were made for eternity, for glory, and as long as our feet are here on this earth, we will experience a glory ache that only heaven can fully satisfy. We will feel a certain something missing that may be hard to define, but we know something’s just not right.
One Spring, our family hosted a ten-year-old Russian foreign exchange student. He went to school with my son and got a taste of what the American Christian family is all about. Alex’s English was very limited, and we depended on hand signals and facial expressions to get by.
On one occasion, I was trying to get him to write a letter to his parents. I pulled out the stationary, handed him a pen, and pointed to a picture of his mother and father. “Why don’t you write a letter to your parents,” I suggested. He had no idea what I was talking about.
For twenty minutes I drew pictures and tried to get him to understand what I wanted him to do. Finally, with tears in his eyes, he looked up at me and said, “What do?”
I just hugged him and put the pen and paper away.
Oftentimes I feel like our little foreign exchange student. I see beauty mingled with pain and suffering and wonder…what do?
I watch the nightly news, and sit perplexed…what do?
I feel close to God but not close enough, and I cry…what do?
I see glimpses of God’s presence, but the ache never quite goes completely away, and I look toward heaven and pray…what do?
Then God reminds me that I am not home yet. I am an alien and a stranger in this world in which I temporarily live (1 Peter 1:2, 2:11). My citizenship, your citizenship, is in heaven and we are just passing through this wonderful, very fleeting point in time and space we call life. This world is but a hallway to heaven.
Another translation of Ecclesiastes 3:11 reads, “He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy],” (AMP).
Not until we see Jesus face-to-face will the lingering glory ache completely subside. I can almost hear the collective “ahhhh” that is sure to come when we believers exhale our last earthly breath and inhale eternity for the first time.
For years I read 1 Corinthians 2:9 and wondered just what God had planned for me here on earth. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” My nearsightedness kept these words earthbound. Not once did I consider that God could have been speaking of all that He has planned for me in eternity…until now.
But through this study of what glory is all about—balm of sudden glories that brim from living in sacred union—I have come to realize that total healing of the ache will come when I finally make it home. The door upon which I have been knocking all my life will finally swing open when I step into eternity.
But until then the glory ache will not go away completely, for we see as through a glass dimly. The dull throb of “homesickness” will remain until we see Him face-to-face and experience the joy of His presence in unrestricted ecstasy. Until then, God gives us glimpses of glory here on earth.
A sunset that takes your breath away.
A moment of peace you can’t explain.
A whisper of His presence in the middle of the ordinary.
Little reminders of where we’re headed.
We want to live in a constant state of awe, but we can’t. Our human limitations won’t allow it. Our minds, our bodies, our emotions couldn’t contain it. The circuitry of our humanness would overload.
So I stand in the cleft of the rock with Moses as God holds His hand over my face and allows me to look at His back as His glory passes by (Exodus 33:18-23). How I thank Him for moments of sudden glory that tide me over until I’m finally home.
What do?
Until we’re finally home, let’s look for glimpses of the majestic among the mundane, the heavenly Maestro’s music among the mayhem, and the magnificent glory woven through all creation.
Heavenly Father, this world is so confusing. I watch the news, listen to conversations, and observe strange behaviors…all the while thinking this is not my home. Thank You for glimpses of glory that tide me over until I am finally home. I love You, Father God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one thing about heaven that you’re looking forward to the most? Leave a comment and let’s share.
I’ll go first. I’m looking forward to seeing my parents and having a long chat.
Digging Deeper
Do you long to experience more glory moments in your life? Moments when God makes His presence know and you know…with
out a shadow of a doubt…that it is Him speaking to you? Then this book is for you. Discover how to erase the line between your “spiritual life” and your “daily life” as you enter the sanctuary of God’s presence in the middle of your busy, messy day! Here you will find your eyes opened to moments of sudden glory in which the Creator assures you of His love as you live and move and have your being in Him. Also includes a Bible study guide. Click here to order your copies of A Sudden Glory: God’s Response to Your Ache for Something More.
Comments 65
This devotion explains exactly how I’ve been feeling for a while. I get overwhelmed when I watch the news. I only want the weather but I have to see all the other mess first and I get really sad. When I get to heaven I look forward to the clean real peace and beauty of it. And the have a conversation with Paul.
Peace! No more sadness or anxiety. To live for eternity in His presence of peace and love. Worshipping His perfect Holiness.
Looking forward to the peace and joy we will have no more stress
I can highly recommend A Sudden Glory. It will open your hearts and minds to what God has planned for us. He is always faithful.
I just started reading this! Looking forward to digging deeper
I definitely agree with Becky . She is a wonderful women who has always Interpreted for me for many years with God’s help. God Bless Yiou, Becky , Jill
Oh Sharon,
So much! But to have a whole and healthy body. Transformed into perfection.
BTW, Having you in my inbox is Joy! You’re such a gift to a 70 year old girl.
Author
Thank you so much!
You made laugh with Joy when You said “70 year old Girl”. I’m stealing that! because You’re right. After all We are his children. He call us Daughter. I’m a 64 year old Girl . Thank You for that.
I too feel that this is not my home. I know God has a plan for me while I am here…but I wait for the day I will be united with my parents, my husband my son and all my friends who passed in the 911 catastrophe!!!! I miss them all so very much! But I know God has them in His loving arms until that day comes.
I’m so sorry to hear that Claudia, what a beautiful day it will be!
Oh what a beautiful devotion! As I struggle with chronic illness and pain, I feel worn out and at times useless due to my limitations. BUT GOD brings me “glory moments” like birds at my feeder, beautiful flowering tree, my sweet pup’s antics – all bring glimpses of joy and as your words so aptly said – I’m reminded I’m just passing thru! “This world is but a hallway to heaven” – oh what a wonderful sentence! I am looking forward in heaven to seeing the face of Jesus and no more physical pain/limitations. Thank you for blessing me with this devotion and a new perspective ❤️
Beautiful! Can’t wait until we are finally home!
Thank you!
I’m looking forward to talking to my mom and dad, my DIL and two grandchildren who were killed in a wreck at very young ages. I long to embrace them all after Jesus releases me from his embrace. Also, I can’t wait to see Earth in the way they see it.
After Jesus… I ache to see my Mama again! Healed and whole! 💜
I can not wait to see the gardens of heaven. I belive there will be flowers we have never seen, colors we have never seen, aromas we have never experienced. Oh to walk through the gardens in Heaven!
Looking-forward to seeing my mom and other family members
May I ask for a copy of the book A sudden glory????
I came here to just say that I love This world is but a hallway to heaven
Looking forward to God giving me a hug and saying well done. I’m proud of you.
I just had my 5 year checkup of my third time having cancer. Your email helped me make a decision. I had the choice of continuing on with the cancer medication which wiped me out each day or not taking it. I have endured 59 years of an unhappy marriage. I think it is time to let nature take its course. You reminded me this world is not my home and I have a wonderful home awaiting me with a father who truly loves me. This world is not my home, and I look forward to my heavenly home free of cancer and troubles that don’t go away.
Author
I know it is a hard decision. But either way, I can’t wait to meet you face to face in heaven.
Revelation 21:4
“He (God) will wipe away every tear from their (our) 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 what I needed to hear today. No wonder that I never quite feel fulfilled in my life…..I’m not supposed to because I’m not home yet!
I’m 80 years young now and I’ve lost so many family members and my closest friends. I’m anxious to see them again. I just don’t want to leave my only child behind.
I am looking forward to seeing my long time SWEETHEART Jim, (GOD rest his beautiful Soul) as today would, (is)have been our 64th wedding anniversary. How I miss his smiles and Love ❤️ 🙏
Hugs 🤗 Veronica.
Author
What a perfect reminder on this special day.
Your e mail came at a good time for me. I’m going through cancer & now on chemo pills. I’m torn because I still have young grandkids & don’t want to leave them. But I also know where Jesus is will be free of illness & peaceful. I don’t know if it’s wrong to fight to live here, I know heaven is my real home.
I don’t believe it’s wrong to keep fighting to live as long as you are fighting to live for the Lord. 🥰
Because He Lives I Can Only Imagine and that’s why I’m Homesick For Heaven! No more tears, no more pain. I want to see my children run to His arms.
You remind of the song by Phil Wickham “I’m homesick for heaven” also the Song “It won’t be long then well be leaving here” and “Come Jesus Come” and “Soon and very Soon we are Going to see the King”. I Love that pictures of seeing my/his children run into his arms!!
I can’t wait to hug Jesus!!!
Then I can’t wait to find and hug my little boy and my brother and my husband and my dad and mom. Praise the Lord.
This is so good and it reminds me of Phil Wickham’s song: Homesick for Heaven!! I cry every time I hear it. Can’t to be with The Lover of my Soul forever and my lived ones who have gone ahead of me!! 🙌🩷🤟🏼
Dear Sharon, thank you for this beautiful reminder! I needed this today 🥰….I look forward to seeing Jesus! No more sorrow, mental, emotional and physical pain; gone! To see my parents, brother and the babies I lost! To see those with whom I prayed with when they were on their deathbed. The beauty of heaven and the joy of God’s presence!!! 🥰
When I get to Heaven, after the awe of His glory, I want to see my moma and my husband
I wanna see my moma and my hubby. I miss them both terribly
I look forward the most to living under the perfectly just and righteous rule of Jesus Christ away from this sin-ridden, corrupt government that currently rules the entire world; I look forward to a glorified body and mind that will no longer have the capacity or tendency to sin; and the perfect unity among all Christians — no more backbiting, competition and ungodly behavior even among God’s people. I couldn’t choose only one because I dwell on these often. No mind has conceived!
Thank you for this story. I am finding it hard to feel settled in this world. I pray that this world would come to God before it is to late… I look forward for my daughter to be healed and healthy. I long to be with God and singing and praising him everyday.. The peace and love is what I am longing for 🙏🙏🙏
I want to see my mom Noemi, she passed when she was 27. The last time I saw her before the hospital when I was 12. We got in a fight. I miss her so much!
Moms and daughters always fight sometime. But she knows you love her. ❤️
Peace..reuniting with loved ones. This devotion hit home, not really knowing that my heart was feeling this way..you put it into words with hope. Appreciate you. 😊🙏🏼🎶
I am so jealous of when a Christian passes away because they get to go be with Jesus and I am still here on this earth waiting for my time to go be with Jesus and see Him face to face. I just can’t imagine the reunion it will be when I get to see my Jesus face to face and then get to see my mom and dad and my brother who have already seen Jesus’ face to face and talked with Him. I do have that restlessness in me and a desire to go home because I know this world is not my home. And I do want to go home when the Lord calls me home.
One of most eye opening messages I’ve ever read. Thank you! It explains that feeling I have perfectly. I have always thought it was a failure or inadequacy on my part. I feel so much peace knowing that it is part of His great design!
The first thing I want to do when I meet Jesus is ask why bad things happen to good, God fearing Christian people. Since the Bible tells us that God is all-powerful and loves us, why does he allow so much suffering in this world? An impertinent question, I know, but this one is so hard to wrap my mind around. I know I am not supposed to “lean on my own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5), but this is so hard.
I so understand that question too. I just tell myself that this place is not Heaven and remember that God gives us free will to choose Him. Even then it’s still difficult. I am so thankful that He loves me and has a place for me. ❤️
I hope I get to see Jesus as He was in Jerusalem after His resurrection. To weep at His feet and just once to touch the nail scar in His hand.
Then I want to see my Daddy.
And then take the grand tour of meeting family and friends, the apostles, David and Jonathan, Isaiah and Ezekiel, etc. I do hope there is Bible study in Heaven with all the questions answered and all the gaps filled in. So much to see and to do. I can’t wait!
No. More. Pain.
To see my Lord and Savior Jesus!!
And to see my mom and dad!!
Thank you Sharon for this beautiful message today! I needed this so much!!
What a beautiful devotion shared with us today! I look forward to seeing my Lord and savior face to face and being reunited with my family members who are already home in Glory.
I look forward to seeing my Grandma who is actually my true parent. I always cry out to her and wish she was here. So I can spend time with her and show her all my love. There is also God. I want to see God because no one can see him and live. For also being my Lord and Saviour and being my ABBA.
I am anticipating the manifestation of my Hope in Glory-Jesus Christ! Colossians 1:27.
Praise the Lord!
Resting in and praising the Lord. Amen!🙏 ❤️
I’ve been a widow now for two years. How I yearned for heaven. I’m looking forward to being reunited with my hubby again.
Holding my twin grandbabies Kathryn and Andrew who we only had for moments.
Such a perfectly timed and tender devotional! Needed! I think about being able to hug Jesus (after I get up off my face of course lol) 😁. Then, to see my parents and everyone! I’m so ready to be relieved of anxiety and stress. For today, “What do, Lord”? Thank you so much, Sharon!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I truly look forward to being free of the evil that this world holds. I am grateful for the glimpses of God and truthfully that’s what keeps me going. As a child I used to be afraid when relatives talked about end times. Now I no longer fear but listen for the trumpet to blow! God is so good and I can’t wait to throw my arms around his neck with the sweetest of hugs.
I cannot wait to meet Jesus! Then I will see my daughter, my mom and dad, my grandparents and all the others that have gone before me. Oh what a glorious day it will be. Until then I will continue to ask what do you still have for me to do here? I guess Kimberly finished her list and he took her home. She was 38, almost 39. I miss her so much. 10/10/26 will mark 2 years.
Even though I have love ones that have passed on from this life to the next that I would love to see. I’m looking forward to seeing the One who died for me so that I could have everlasting life. And fall at his feet and say thank you for all that you did for me.
Amen
I want to feel love for everything that God and Jesus loves, especially the people. My heart has become hardened and judgmental, and I want to see through the eyes of God and his glorious son Jesus. I am trying to accomplish this while here, On earth, please pray for me in Jesus name. Thank you.
Thank you this blessed me today and brought me to tears. Reading others comments makes me sad too but also happy.
I do have strong emotions, sometimes I wish I didn’t. but I find myself becoming very grieved and crying more often lately, so true your words in this devotion and a great reminder this is not our home. I’m looking forward to the unending joy and so many things, and people already there I can’t wait to talk to. And seeing Jesus face to face.
I’m so thankful to for the glimpses of glory he provides until then. Watching my newborn baby girl sleep right now and nature outside the window. Or hearing my children laugh. Just to have a family, and the simple pleasures everyday we get to take part in even in the midst of difficulty. Definitely God’s glory. It really helps to think about these things.
Good evening, Sharon. Thank you for sharing an awesome message as usual. The message caused me to think of these two songs that truly blessed me. For anyone interested in listening to Sweet Beulah Land by Mike Purkey. Also, Higher Than I’ve Ever Been by Vern Jackson. One day we’ll all be Home Sweet Home. The wicked shall cease from troubling and The weary shall be at rest; all of the Saints of the ages shall sat at his feet and be blessed. Continued Blessings
As a domestic violence survivor, I question so much.. first off, my now estranged husband wasn’t always violent, it wasn’t until I found out about a secret life he had been living. i was 61, he was 69 when the truth started to unravel, something that started over a decade before we met in our 30s.. God knew about this double life, yet He didn’t reveal it to me. His ways boggles my mind, what good can come from this nightmare.
After working 6 years of healing the damage done by intimate betrayal trauma and domestic abuse that followed, I am reminded of something, this world is not my home, My home is where I will eternally worship and praise the Name of the Lord, where no more sin and violence be be..
I have alot of stress in my life .i am a Christian. i have times when i just want to leave this world. i dont think there is a way to leave this world on my own and still find favor with God. so i pray about it and just keep going. Please keep me in your prayers
Sitting on a park bench beside Jesus and just having a simple chat and listening to him…
This really spoke to me as there are so many time when I feel lost and wonder what my purpose is.
I am looking forward to being at peace and talking to my father.