Next Door

We love our neighborhood. It is one of those neighborhoods where kids still run up and down the streets playing and parents need not worry. Children learn to ride bikes on the sidewalks and roads, and older couples walk holding hands. Not everything is perfect, but we are truly blessed by our Lord to live where we do.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation with our next-door neighbors (we only have neighbors on one side). While they are not Christians, they have always treated us well. He has helped me with a handful of projects around the house, and they have given us several things over the 4 1/2 years we have lived there. We have invited them to services many times, but to no avail.

And now they are moving.

They are going to another state for a better job, and it will happen quickly. In fact, as I went for my morning walk yesterday, the “For Sale” sign was already up in their front yard. Houses are for sale in our neighborhood quite often, but it still is striking when the sign is in front of a house next to yours, and the house of neighbors you have grown to appreciate.

As I walked by the sign this morning, though, another thought came to my mind.

All those “good” things about our neighborhood are true, yet we still lock our doors at night. We have an alarm system on our house. We check on our kids when they are outside quite often. We have a fenced-in back yard. Most of our neighbors are “neighborly,” but very few are New Testament Christians. And people still move out, often for something they consider to be better.

And that’s the difference between where we live now, and our true home as Christians. There will be no “but’s” in describing heaven. “It’s good, but…” “It’s safe, but…” “It’s decent, but…”

It will be all-glorious, all-safe, all-beautiful.

The gates are open always, because it is perfectly safe.

There is no need for street lights on the golden roads, because Jesus lights the way.

We will never look for an upgrade, because Christ is preparing our dwelling places.

Our neighbors will be the faithful, loyal, and loving saints of all ages.

We will never see a “For Sale” sign, because no one would ever dream of leaving.

QUESTION: Don’t you want to go to that land?

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Photo credit: AKZOphoto on creative commons

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