Hebrews 11:14-16 (ESV): "For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
There is a theory that every story follows one of seven archetypal plots. This theory is presented by the ironically named Christopher Booker in his book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. If you are interested in this theory, it is a book well worth reading, because Booker is essentially correct - virtually every story I could think of fits into one of these seven archetypes.
Now one of these archetypes is sometimes called the “Hero’s journey”. In this archetype the protagonist leaves his or her home, faces challenges and experiences, and is changed from the inside because of these challenges. Everything from Frodo leaving the shire and returning changed in The Lord of the Rings, to the children’s adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, follow this archetype.
The thing with these stories is that the hero is transformed from within. They can never truly return back to the land or home they came from. Even if they do physically return, they themselves have changed, and so the lens through which the hero sees their world has changed forever.
That is how it is for the believer. When we trust in God’s promises, when we believe in Jesus, when we have faith, we change from within. The author of Hebrews makes it clear that people of faith are people in search of their new homeland with God. And this is a one way trip. Once you truly have faith, you can never really go back to the way things were before. You have started the journey to the better country, to the heavenly city. God has called you, you have answered the call, and you will continue on this journey to the end. Yes, there may be ups and downs, there will probably be times when you head in the wrong direction, but true faith changes you from within through the power of the Holy Spirit.
And in the end, everyone who has true faith, will return to their true home with God.
Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for putting me on a journey that will find its end with you in the city you have prepared for the faithful. I look forward to seeing you there. May it happen soon. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
If you are wandering from the road to your spiritual home, return to the path. Set your eyes on Jesus again, and follow him.
Faith is a One-Way Journey