Going Home

 

Photo of the Burren by Suzannetmoran 2021

I dreamed that my husband and I owned a home in Ireland, a cozy cottage located in the middle of the Burren, a flat rock formation unique to Ireland, which is blanketed with colorful, delicate flowers in springtime.

We had not been there for a very long time but were now planning to return. As the Burren is only accessible by foot, we had arranged for a car to drive us to the edge of this region, and we would then have a long walk home ahead of us.

As the car dropped us off, it was still dark. But then the sun began to glow on the horizon, the soft pink and coral hues of dawn washing over the fields of flowers, illuminating them like shining jewels, glistening in the morning dew.

Almost instantaneously we were transported to the cottage, its thatched straw roof golden in the morning sun, its white plaster walls gleaming, and its lush garden in full bloom. We were amazed at its perfect state of upkeep, given our long absence and our not having made any arrangements for a caretaker. And yet it was breathtakingly beautiful, warm and inviting in its idyllic setting.

As we crossed the threshold, we discovered that the interior was immaculate, as if lovingly swept and cared for each morning while awaiting our arrival. To our surprise, we found freshly baked bread and wildflower honey in the cupboard and a kettle of tea whistling on the hearth – the perfect refreshment before starting life together in this welcoming home.

I awoke with a sense of peace and joy, yet wistfulness that it had only been a dream. It reminded me of the home that awaits all Christians, those who are saved by trusting in the death, burial; and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).

When we die, we can’t take anything with us, other than souls we have led to the Lord (1 Thessalonians 2:19) and treasures we have laid up in Heaven (Matthew 6:20), namely, good works we have done with the proper motive to serve our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Once we are born again (John 3:3-8), we don’t have to prepare for the trip, to pack, or to book accommodations or arrange for these to be made ready, or even to travel. The moment we are absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord, and He will instantly take us to Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Often our life here seems like a journey through the darkness of this evil world (Ephesians 6:12), which is not our home (Hebrews 11:16). But there it will be eternal dawn, lit by Jesus Christ (Isaiah 60:19-20; (Revelation 21:23), Light of the world (John 8:12), Himself! There He has prepared many mansions for His children (John 14:2), no doubt each uniquely suited to our individual preferences and personalities. The delight of each home and of the Heavenly City (Hebrews 12:22) will be far beyond our earthly imagination, although Scripture provides some details about the latter, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2).  

Imagine a city with streets of pure gold, walls built of precious stones, and gates of pearl, ruled in perfect peace and harmony by Jesus Christ, inhabited by all who love Him! ((Revelation 21:18-26). Imagine having a glorified body that will never sin, age, sorrow, die or experience pain or sickness (Revelation 21:4), yet that will be able to enjoy eating and drinking (John 21; Matthew 26:29), walking through walls (John 20:19), and traveling at the speed of thought! (Luke 24:30-31). Imagine an eternity to share love, joy, and peace with Him and one another, to rule and reign with Him (Isaiah 32:1), to worship and praise Him! (Revelation 5:8-14).

All this awaits us and so much more! May we run with patience the earthly race set before us (Hebrews 12:1), look up for His soon return (Luke 21:28), and do all we can to bring others to Him, so that we may come home to our loving Father as His Son says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! (Matthew 25:21).

© 2023 Laurie Collett

Many Mansions

I dreamed that I had participated in a pageant giving awards for character, citizenship, and service. The awards ceremonies were extensive and took place over several days at a beautiful, luxurious resort. Although I was surprised, honored and joyful over some rewards I received, I was also disappointed at first that I did not receive some rewards I thought I deserved. But overall I felt jubilant, blessed, and thankful. 

My husband had been with me throughout the week, and both our mothers were supposed to meet us there on the last day. His mother arrived in the late morning and was hungry, so he offered to take her to lunch. While I waited for my mother, I decided to explore the resort, as I had been too busy to do so while participating in the final events leading up to the awards ceremonies. 

As I wandered through what seemed like a palace, beyond anything I had ever seen or imagined, every vista and surrounding seemed more inviting and spectacular than the one I had just experienced. Fragrances of orange blossoms, jasmine and exotic spices wafted through the air on a warm, gentle breeze. 

Birds were singing, and many instrumental and vocal melodies blended together in perfect harmony. Lotus and water lilies floated on pools, magically undisturbed by cascading fountains. Tile mosaics in the floor and walls glittered as if made from gold, silver, and precious stones. 

Several people approached me and thanked me for taking part in the pageant and said they had been uplifted by my story. They seemed familiar, as if I knew them, but I couldn’t pinpoint the specifics of our meeting or relationship. 

The farther I traveled through this glorious place the more I wanted to experience, and the thought of leaving became unbearable. In the deep corners of my mind I knew that I had to return to my room, pack, and go home, but the urgency of doing that became increasingly remote. It finally struck me that in all these amazing settings, some designed as common areas and some as individual guest rooms and suites, there were no doors! 

I found myself in a penthouse suite where a father and his young sons were playing in a fountain. The father was telling his sons a joyful story, and I could sense the overwhelming love and unbreakable bond that family shared. They seemed aware of my presence but welcoming and not in the least disturbed by the intrusion. 

As I gradually entered wakefulness I did not want to leave the dream, for I felt as if I had an imagined glimpse of Heaven. Yet my dream was limited by the bounds of my earthly experience. Even for the apostles Paul and John, whom God actually transported to Heaven during their lifetime, albeit for a very short while, words could not begin to describe what they had experienced! (2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 4:1-2). 

I was refreshed and encouraged by the dream, and yet I felt that tinge of disappointment at realizing that it was still a dream and not yet reality. For now, we are still strangers passing through a foreign country, longing for our true home (Hebrews 11:13-16). But we have that blessed and living hope of Heaven (Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:3), far beyond our wildest dreams! 

One day, I believe and hope very soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will return for His children, for all those who have trusted Him as the Savior Who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:14; 51-53). He will call us up to meet with Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18), and we will face Him at the judgment, or bema, seat where we will give an account of all that we have done, good and bad, since we were saved (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). 

Our sins will not keep us from Heaven, for He has paid the price in full with His shed blood and justified us, or clothed us with His righteousness, so that we are reconciled and acceptable to the Father (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:18). He will reward us for those deeds that we did to accomplish His purpose, provided they were motivated by our gratitude and love for Him and not to earn the praise of men or other earthly prize (Matthew 6:1-6). 

The fire of judgment will identify those worthy deeds, for they will emerge unharmed and shining like gold, silver and precious stones. But for those deeds that burn up in the flames like wood, hay or stubble, we will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). We may have been expecting a crown for our faithful service (1 Peter 5:1-4), only to realize that we did the right thing for the wrong reason (Luke 13:30). 

But thankfully, He will wipe every tear from our eye (Revelation 7:17; 21:4) and we will be filled with joyful bliss just to be in His presence! 

I believe I was reluctant to awaken from my dream because I hoped I might be there long enough to catch a glimpse of His precious face (1 Corinthians 13:12), or even just to touch the hem of His garment! (Matthew 14:36). Jesus Christ Himself will be the Light of Heaven (Revelation 21:23) and the Fountain of Living Water (Revelation 7:17) giving eternal life to all of us! 

As if that were not enough, Heaven will also be filled with our loved ones in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We will break bread with them, first at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), and then whenever we desire, just as Jesus ate in His glorified body (Luke 24:30; 41-43). 

And we will meet all those whom we in some way encouraged in their Christian walk (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Even if we were not there when they asked Christ into their heart, we may have planted the seed of faith (Luke 8:5-8) or watered it by giving them a tract, witnessing, showing them the love of Christ, supporting a missionary who led them to Christ, or just by being a Godly example (1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9). 

What a blessing to meet them, and then have eternity to get to know them better, as well as so many new family members (Matthew 12:47-50) who are our brothers and sisters in Christ! In our Father’s house are many mansions, each specially and lovingly designed for each of us (John 14:2). The streets will be of gold, the walls and foundations of precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21), and glorious worship music and praise will fill the air (Revelation 5:8-14). 

In the New Jerusalem, there will be no sea (Revelation 21:1), for there are no more barriers between nations. I believe there will be no doors in that heavenly city because we will all be one loving family, with no secrets, no facades and nothing to hide. We will have free access to all of Heaven’s amazing homes, meeting places, and even the heavenly throne! 

How awesome it will be to experience that which our eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard (1 Corinthians 2:9), exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20) beyond what we could even imagine or think! Even beyond that will be our indescribable, perfect, complete joy and peace of seeing our precious Savior face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), worshiping Him and basking forever in His light and love! 

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

© 2017 Laurie Collett
Reposted from the archives

Many Mansions

I dreamed that I had participated in a pageant giving awards for character, citizenship, and service. The awards ceremonies were extensive and took place over several days at a beautiful, luxurious resort. Although I was surprised, honored and joyful over some rewards I received, I was also disappointed at first that I did not receive some rewards I thought I deserved. But overall I felt jubilant, blessed, and thankful.

My husband had been with me throughout the week, and both our mothers were supposed to meet us there on the last day. His mother arrived in the late morning and was hungry, so he offered to take her to lunch. While I waited for my mother, I decided to explore the resort, as I had been too busy to do so while participating in the final events leading up to the awards ceremonies.

As I wandered through what seemed like a palace, beyond anything I had ever seen or imagined, every vista and surrounding seemed more inviting and spectacular than the one I had just experienced. Fragrances of orange blossoms, jasmine and exotic spices wafted through the air on a warm, gentle breeze.

Birds were singing, and many instrumental and vocal melodies blended together in perfect harmony. Lotus and water lilies floated on pools, magically undisturbed by cascading fountains. Tile mosaics in the floor and walls glittered as if made from gold, silver, and precious stones.

Several people approached me and thanked me for taking part in the pageant and said they had been uplifted by my story. They seemed familiar, as if I knew them, but I couldn’t pinpoint the specifics of our meeting or relationship.

The farther I traveled through this glorious place the more I wanted to experience, and the thought of leaving became unbearable. In the deep corners of my mind I knew that I had to return to my room, pack, and go home, but the urgency of doing that became increasingly remote. It finally struck me that in all these amazing settings, some designed as common areas and some as individual guest rooms and suites, there were no doors!

I found myself in a penthouse suite where a father and his young sons were playing in a fountain. The father was telling his sons a joyful story, and I could sense the overwhelming love and unbreakable bond that family shared. They seemed aware of my presence but welcoming and not in the least disturbed by the intrusion.

As I gradually entered wakefulness I did not want to leave the dream, for I felt as if I had an imagined glimpse of Heaven. Yet my dream was limited by the bounds of my earthly experience. Even for the apostles Paul and John, whom God actually transported to Heaven during their lifetime, albeit for a very short while, words could not begin to describe what they had experienced! (2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 4:1-2).

I was refreshed and encouraged by the dream, and yet I felt that tinge of disappointment at realizing that it was still a dream and not yet reality. For now, we are still strangers passing through a foreign country, longing for our true home (Hebrews 11:13-16). But we have that blessed and living hope of Heaven (Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:3), far beyond our wildest dreams!

One day, I believe and hope very soon, the Lord Jesus Christ will return for His children, for all those who have trusted Him as the Savior Who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:14; 51-53). He will call us up to meet with Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18), and we will face Him at the judgment, or bema, seat where we will give an account of all that we have done, good and bad, since we were saved (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Our sins will not keep us from Heaven, for He has paid the price in full with His shed blood and justified us, or clothed us with His righteousness, so that we are reconciled and acceptable to the Father (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:18). He will reward us for those deeds that we did to accomplish His purpose, provided they were motivated by our gratitude and love for Him and not to earn the praise of men or other earthly prize (Matthew 6:1-6).

The fire of judgment will identify those worthy deeds, for they will emerge unharmed and shining like gold, silver and precious stones. But for those deeds that burn up in the flames like wood, hay or stubble, we will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). We may have been expecting a crown for our faithful service (1 Peter 5:1-4), only to realize that we did the right thing for the wrong reason (Luke 13:30).

But thankfully, He will wipe every tear from our eye (Revelation 7:17; 21:4) and we will be filled with joyful bliss just to be in His presence!

I believe I was reluctant to awaken from my dream because I hoped I might be there long enough to catch a glimpse of His precious face (1 Corinthians 13:12), or even just to touch the hem of His garment! (Matthew 14:36). Jesus Christ Himself will be the Light of Heaven (Revelation 21:23) and the Fountain of Living Water (Revelation 7:17) giving eternal life to all of us!

As if that were not enough, Heaven will also be filled with our loved ones in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We will break bread with them, first at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), and then whenever we desire, just as Jesus ate in His glorified body (Luke 24:30; 41-43).

And we will meet all those whom we in some way encouraged in their Christian walk (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Even if we were not there when they asked Christ into their heart, we may have planted the seed of faith (Luke 8:5-8) or watered it by giving them a tract, witnessing, showing them the love of Christ, supporting a missionary who led them to Christ, or just by being a Godly example (1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9).

What a blessing to meet them, and then have eternity to get to know them better, as well as so many new family members (Matthew 12:47-50) who are our brothers and sisters in Christ! In our Father’s house are many mansions, each specially and lovingly designed for each of us (John 14:2). The streets will be of gold, the walls and foundations of precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21), and glorious worship music and praise will fill the air (Revelation 5:8-14).

In the New Jerusalem, there will be no sea (Revelation 21:1), for there are no more barriers between nations. I believe there will be no doors in that heavenly city because we will all be one loving family, with no secrets, no facades and nothing to hide. We will have free access to all of Heaven’s amazing homes, meeting places, and even the heavenly throne!

How awesome it will be to experience that which our eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard (1 Corinthians 2:9), exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20) beyond what we could even imagine or think! Even beyond that will be our indescribable, perfect, complete joy and peace of seeing our precious Savior face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), worshiping Him and basking forever in His light and love!

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

© 2017 Laurie Collett