It was an average temperature summer day when I moved into the parsonage home of Sedalia First United Methodist Church last month. I celebrated the fact it wasn’t nearly as hot and humid as the day we had packed the truck!
The home we moved into is far beyond adequate, positioned well in town and near the church for easy access. The community of Sedalia is obviously growing and has much to offer – quality schools, more shopping options than the last place I lived, and great access to the larger communities of Columbia and Kansas City. It even offers me a local radio affiliate for my St. Louis Cardinals! Yep – this is a place my family and I can easily call home.
Though I’ve spent nearly a decade of my life in mid-Missouri and most of my life somewhere in the state, I’ve yet to make it to our State Fair. I believe at this point, however, I’ve run out of excuses. I’m not sure I’m ready for it, but it’s right around the corner. Many Sedalians have already given me a heads-up about things like when to get to Walmart before the town is overrun with fair-goers. So, I feel as though I have the inside track, and am already one of the natives.
But the purpose for which I write all this is to take note of the theme of this year’s fair – “Come Home.” How cools is that? I just got here and already the whole state fair is welcoming me! I couldn’t be more humbled.
But seriously, if Sedalians continue to treat the visitors to the fair the way I’ve been treated since I’ve been here, I can see how returning each year can be like coming home. What a joy it is to reconnect with folks that maybe we haven’t seen since last year or longer. What a delight to spend some carefree timelessness with friends and family. So I hope you do just that as a part of this year’s fair.
But I think I’d be missing the point of the purpose of an article such as this if I didn’t point out that all humanity has an opportunity to participate in the ultimate home-going. Think of it like the coolest family reunion ever – ‘cause it will be! God, in Christ, has offered us a way to spend eternity, not only in the fullness of His presence, but with each other, forever.
But before you get to thinking eternity is an awful long time to spend with your crazy uncle, or your aunt who wears too much of that decades-old perfume, let me just say heaven’s not gonna have the complications of sin that our lives have now.
Revelation 21:4 clues us in to aspects of heaven when it says that God will “wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (NLT) See! All the stuff that causes heartache, consternation, frustration, fear and pain are gone forever. So, not only will your crazy uncle no longer be crazy, you and me will be free of sin, too (for which everyone else is thankful). And all of it is possible for everyone who responds to God’s love offered to them in Jesus!
But what’s even better is the verse before (verse 3) sets up this great “family reunion” by talking about a homecoming. It says, “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.’” God is going to make His home with us, did you know that? Much like Jesus did some 2,000 years ago, divinity will dwell with humanity, and then we’ll be home.
So let me encourage you this year during the fair. As you think about an experience “coming home” this year, take a moment and ponder how cool it would be if you got to experience the best parts of it forever. Linger on the idea that even at its best, the fair can’t compare to the fullness of the presence of the Almighty where no bad thing exists! Then, just like ensuring you get your groceries ahead of time, take stock of your relationship with the Lord of all creation. He loves you immensely and can’t wait for you to “come home!”
Clik here to view.
