You've heard the old saying, "Home is where the heart is" before. Though I was unable to definitively learn where it came from, some attribute it to Pliny the Elder (naval commander in the Roman empire, born in 23 and died at the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79). Regardless of where exactly it originated, the statement predates all of us to be sure.
My question is, have you ever thought about it? I mean actually pondered it's meaning? If you have, do you agree with it? Let's think about it for the next few mintues.
First, I am a Christian. A Christ-follower. And one of the realities that I am convinced of and do attempt to follow whole-heartedly is that all truth is God's truth. That there is no truth apart from Him. The logical conclusion to this reality is, if all truth is God's truth, then I must go to Him to get it. Furthermore, I have concluded that God has exposed this truth by way of the revelation of himself to us in the person and the work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).
In short, I go to God's Word to get truth. I do not go to philosophers to comprehend the deep things of life. I do not go to psychologists to comprehend human behaviors or the human mind. I do not even go to theologians to comprehend God. I go to Scripture because only it reveals the truth about each of these things.
Now, back to the statement, "Home is where the heart is". The clear meaning of the statement is simply this - that your deepest affections, not your physical presence, reveals the location of your "home". You may have a mansion or a house or you might even live in a van down by the river, but your "home" is wherever the place is that you love the most.
And what is it that makes you love that place the most? You love it because of what is there now or maybe what was there in a time gone by. Your family, your friends, your memories, your childhood, the list could go on and on. "Home" could even be a place you have never been. A place that you have long dreamed of and desire to live. Your "home" is wherever your "heart" is.
Now, let's go to the Bible to determine the validity of this statement. I invite you to read Matthew 6:19-24. For the purpose of the topic at hand, pay particular attention to verse 21 which says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." After thinking about it, I'd say that the statement we are considering today does seem to align with this verse of Scripture from the mouth of God!
Here, in His "Sermon on the Mount", Jesus is instructing the listener to intentionally, purposefully choose to fix his affections toward an eternal home in the presence of Jesus rather than a temporal home here on earth. Jesus essentially says, "your home is/will be where your heart is." But what is marvelous about Jesus' statement is not just that He said it, but that He has the power to make it happen and He has promised to someday come and take those who are His to the place where He is, where they will spend eternity together (John 14:1-3).
So, dear reader, where is your "heart"? Where is your "treasure"? Where is your "home"? Here are some questions to help you discern the true answer -
- What do you think about the most...Heaven or earth?
- What do you work the hardest to accomplish...making money, achieving respect, becoming proficient in some earthly endeavor, or knowing Jesus?
- Whose approval do you seek the most...your boss, your social media acquaintances, your spouse, children or parents, or God's?
- Are your current efforts preparing you for what happens here (earth) or for what happens there (Heaven)?
At the end of all things, there are only two "homes" to inhabit. One home will be in the presence of God. One home will be apart from the presence God. Forevermore.
Friend, your "home" is, in fact, where your heart is. My heart is with Jesus. How about you?
Pastor Jeremy
