A native Californian, the highlight of my childhood summers was camping in beautiful Yosemite. Later, I served in the Peace Corps with one trunk and learned to make-do pretty much anywhere. My husband Dan traveled Europe carrying only a backpack. With five kiddos, our camping equipment expanded to include a rather large tent affectionately known as “Hotel Miller.” As retirees, our camping venue has changed yet again. We are currently “camping” in our new Texas home awaiting the arrival of our household goods. As eager as we are to do so, we cannot unpack and settle in just yet. God has used a TEXAS ICE STORM and a shortage of truck drivers to hit the pause button. Since we have warm shelter, clean bathrooms, and a kitchen with a microwave, our “camping” is pretty luxurious living for nomads, really.
NOMADS? Perhaps those who RV it maintain a better sense of the nomadic dimension of the Christian life. I had forgotten! However, scripture repeatedly refers to us nomads, exiles, pilgrims and sojourners. The Exodus certainly qualified as a camping trip! Jesus, Paul and many other biblical characters clearly demonstrated this lifestyle. Even so, most of us tend to get pretty entrenched. In spite of home ownership or lifetime loyalties to certain locations, we too are actually temporary residents.
Relocating and camping indoors has dramatically reminded me THIS EARTH IS NOT OUR HOME. We are actually citizens of Heaven where Jesus is preparing a place for us per John 14. We may or may not enjoy a well set-up home here on earth, but we will do so in Heaven. All our needs will be met. We will not need to shop for or wait for a home, appliances, or movers. How glorious will be our paid for, permanent, eternal home in a neighborhood where there is no sin at all. May our attitude about our camping lifestyle on this earth and every word about our current base camp indicate our anticipation of an eternity with Jesus in Heaven.
Whether we are currently camping in a small assisted living apartment or a large house, we nomads do give thought to how the furniture is arranged and pictures hung. We call it “home,” and it takes on much meaning. It becomes our safe place, the place where we welcome, feed, comfort, even celebrate others. In this process, we are endeavoring to provide for ourselves and our families, but it is tempting to make our temporary home more than it should be. Thus, it is good to remind one another that WE ARE SOJOURNERS AND PILGRIMS. This sinful world is not Heaven but our temporary assignment. Adopting an eternal mindset is biblical, and it has numerous advantages. Thinking this way somehow makes it easier to tolerate current inconveniences, pain, and loss. Thinking eternally also makes it easier to make plans for those we will leave behind at the end of this life.
Designed to enable you to leave a legacy of love and finish this life well, Heritage of Hope offers a unique opportunity to share this heavenly outlook with those you love. When you’ve completed the checklist on pages 22 & 23 of your HOH Workbook, you will need to introduce and explain your exit strategies (final arrangements, legal documents, memorial service, etc.) to your support team and those impacted. Many do not want to discuss death, but I pray you will be able to overcome their dread of this topic with your biblically grounded hope in the place Jesus is preparing for all who trust Him as Savior and Lord. After all, we nomads are just camping. HEAVEN IS OUR HOME.
HEBREWS: 11:13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 16. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 13:14 For this world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
