An Unfamiliar Place

This past weekend we were in Seattle, Washington, for a wedding. We really enjoyed our time out there seeing family and friends and exploring the city and the surrounding area. One of the challenges, however, was the time difference. Seattle is three hours behind Pittsburgh, so I was ready for bed long before the evening’s activities were over. In fact, because of everything going on, we often were not in bed until 11 o’clock or midnight which would have been 2 or 3 in the morning in Pittsburgh. Returning home has been nearly as difficult. We spent just enough time out there to start to adjust to the new time zone and then we were catapulted 3 hours into the future once again. And now, getting up at 6 or 7 in the morning feels like 3 or 4. So, even though I am in my own home, I feel like I’m in an unfamiliar place because the clock is showing a number my body disagrees with.

The author of Hebrews describes a group of people who also felt they didn’t belong where they were. The 11th chapter of Hebrews has been called the “Hall of Faith” and in it, the author describes the exploits of those who were champions for the Lord. In the midst of their stories he says that these heroes of faith “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.... Now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13, 16). This earth may be our temporary home but it truly should feel like an unfamiliar place. Our home is in that city which God is preparing for us! Aren’t you looking forward to the day when we will go there?