I came home last Sunday morning after staying in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a week.

As you can imagine, I’m still dealing with jet lag. That is why I am writing this at 3:30am. But it is always good to be home, here in Maryland.

You see, I was born and raised in Ethiopia, born from Ethiopian parents (yes, I am a proud Ethiopian woman!) but I lived most of my life here in Maryland, not in Addis/Ethiopia. Do you blame me then for feeling home whenever I come to Maryland?

As you may very well know, every language, culture, society in general goes through constant changes, and unless I am part of the society that goes through those changes, I can’t feel home among that particular society. And this reality usually breaks my heart because I love my country and I love my people.

But there is another reality, another truth about my life. My real home is not found here on earth. Whether I live in Maryland or Addis Ababa, according to the word of God, I am a “stranger and a sojourner” (1 Peter 2:11) on this earth.

“For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” Hebrews 13:14 NASB

Do you see that?

Followers of Christ don’t feel home here on earth. Why?

Home is a place of rest, joy, peace, freedom to be you and all that.

Followers of Jesus Christ are constantly in war, they have peace and rest here and there but because of the war that is raging against them from every side, they do not really enjoy lasting peace, joy and rest.

Then how do they comfort their weary soul? By the hope that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9 NASB (by the way, this Sabbath rest is for the present as well as for the future – present, we do not work to be saved, future, lasting joy, peace and rest are in store for us in heaven)

See if this hope of Sabbath rest comforts you. If not, maybe you belong to this world. And let me tell you something: If you belong to this world, your best life is the one you’re living now. It is as best as it gets. There is no other “best life” in store for you.

Only in Christ, you will have “a lasting city” where you will have a lasting peace, rest and joy. Call Christ’s name now for He is the only Savior given to the human race.

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NASB

Look around you! Look at yourself in the mirror? What do you see?

Death!

Even the earth, the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars are getting old, soon to be thrown into fire – Revelation 8. Nothing, I will say it again, nothing remains the same! Only Christ remains the same and only Christ can save you from this meaningless life and the soon coming eternal damnation of all who are not in Christ. Call Christ’s name now and be saved! Then one day soon, you will be HOME and enjoy the rest that is only found in “a lasting city.” ///