A Temporary Dwelling

Vol. 20 No. 31 | July 30, 2018

I woke up this morning in a new place. There have been several mornings in recent months when I’ve woken up in new places. Some mornings I’ve even wondered, “Where am I now?”

This morning, however, I woke up in our new home.

As we searched for a place to live, there were some houses we loved and some we immediately knew were not what we wanted. There were a few we loved but were not meant to be- an offer had already been accepted, there was some major flaw in construction, or there were things we didn’t want. So, we moved on.

When we walked in this house for the first time, we instantly knew this was the one. In fact, within a few minutes, we were ready to make an offer. The offer was extended, accepted, and this morning I woke up in my new home.

As the furniture and boxes were unloaded, we made comments like, “This is it! This is our final move.!” We’ve said this before. I suppose we all have wanted to believe, ‘we’re finally home’ at different points in life. After a long trip, “Ah, we’re finally home.” At the end of a long day or when the work week ends, “Ah, we’re finally home.” When I laid my head on my pillow last night, I thought, “It’s good to finally be home.” It’s a great feeling.

I love our new home. I hope we’re able to share meals, drink coffee, and have conversations and laughter with our family and friends for years to come.

But I know this is only a temporary dwelling. The newness will eventually fade, and life will get back to normal (whatever that is). This is, in fact, only a temporary dwelling.

I am reminded of these words:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 2:1-3, NIV)

There are times, out of necessity, when our eyes are focused on “earthly things.” It is a part of being human. But our eyes cannot remain fixated on these things. These things and this place are temporary. They will become old and they will pass away.

And one day, I will wake up in a new place unlike any other. It will be a place that will last forever and never grow old, and thankfully, there will be no more goodbyes.

The last book of the Bible talks of such a place:

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

There will be a morning when I will wake up in this new place, and I can finally truly say, “Ah, it’s good to be home!”


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