Stephen enjoyed a caravan break last weekend, his caravan being his ‘home from home‘, a portable home which brings peace, joy and rest to him as he explores the UK. He is fortunate in having two homes, therefore: one a fixed abode and one a portable home on wheels!
Second homes may make the news nowadays as people are being forced to ‘staycation’ in the UK, but we have a spiritual home as well to look forward to (see John 14:1-6). Jesus is preparing a home for us with God, and 2 Cor 5:1-10 speaks of the difference between our life on earth (described here as being like camping in a tent!) and our heavenly home when we will live permanently in God’s presence. For all Christians, there is a longing at times to be settled in our second home, but in the meantime, we have purpose and a reason to live right now. God is with us through His Holy Spirit, and how we live now affects eternity (the passage talks about judgment for deeds done in the body). How we live in our earthly ‘body’ (both literally and in the church body) is seen by others; we are called to reflect God’s character and life to others.
