A few weeks ago, my god daughter received a traffic ticket. Although she lives in her own apartment 30 minutes away from me and her grandmother (we own a home together), I knew this important piece of information because the ticket came to my home. I teased her about knowing all the details regarding her driving indiscretions and suggested she might like to update the address on her driver’s license. Then any tickets would go directly to her and I wouldn’t be able to hassle her.

Her response was interesting, she said, “No, I want to keep your address as my permanent address. I am only living in this apartment for a short period of time. I will ALWAYS consider your house my permanent home!”

Now, I love the idea that at 22 years of age she is still attached to me and her grandmother. But it got me to thinking about my own “permanent home.” What is my permanent address?

According to the government, it is where you receive official documents and correspondence. Another site said that your “present home” is where you live now and your “permanent home” is where you will live.

Where we will live…I know where that is, it is heaven! “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.” (Rev. 21:1-4)

That is my permanent address. Currently, I am just living in a temporary “apartment.” I live here now, but I will live there for all eternity. My permanent home will be with God. And as that passage goes on to say, “…the old order will be done away with.” I will be receiving my official “documents” at that address.

This week, maybe we ought to give some thought to the idea that we are “just a-passing through” (to quote an old hymn). Too often we act like this is all there is. We put down roots and make permanent efforts to “belong.” Truth is we don’t really belong here. This is our temporary address. All God’s kids are headed HOME.

Are you longing for your permanent home or settling for the temporary stuff?

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Sherry L. Worel