Tuesday, January 13, 2009

From The Other Side

About this time last year I was making preparations to go the the land of India and Sri Lanka. I was very busy tying up every loose end that came to mind. I made six different kinds of soup and put them in the freezer in single serving sizes so that my husband wouldn't completely starve while I was gone. 
It is very different in Southeast Asia. I knew what to expect because I had been to India before.  Poverty and wealth marry one another to form a society. Most of the people still hold fast to ancient traditions, customs, and dress that have never been common here. 

The food is very different. I remember the first time I visited India I ate something that was very, very tough. Soon I learned that I had pigs tongue in my mouth. Oh, my! What to do with it! So I chewed until I was able to swallow.

Did I mention the bathroom facilities, or the slums, or the people in masses beyond belief? It is a different world. 

While reading through Genesis recently I discovered that the word Hebrew is first mentioned in Genesis 14:13. Hebrew means "one from the other side". 

I love this. The verse is talking about Abram for the first time ever referring to him as a Hebrew. 

Hebrews 11:8-10 says, "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Abraham never thought he belonged here in this world..........because true to his name, (Hebrew) he was one from the other side.

I can relate. When I was on the other side of the globe on foreign soil, though I loved my visit, I knew that I did not belong there. Those dear countries are not my home. My temporal home is here on this American soil. But sometimes I get restless because I don't really belong here either. This is not my home, I am just passing through. There is a better home waiting for me and it has an eternal foundation that will never be shaken. 

When I was India I would get so homesick. I don't ever remember missing my house or my car or even my cat and dogs while I was there. I missed my husband. I missed that man like I could hardly believe! 

I don't get homesick for heaven because I am longing for a mansion, or streets of gold, or a life without problems, but I can tell you for certain that I long to see the One who sits on the throne. I want to see His eyes that are like fire. I want to see Him in all of His glory and all of His splendor. I want to hear His familiar voice and see the radiance of His smile. I want to worship Him right there in the throne room. There is so much waiting for me on the other side!

So I am not getting too settled. I yearning for something better and it can't even be found here. I guess I am a Hebrew at heart because I know my real home is on the other side!



Blessings,
Cheri

 

3 comments:

Joyful said...

I hear Steven Curtis Chapman singing in my head, "We are not home yet".

Thanks for your message today and the updates. Praying for you and yours.

Hugs,
Joy

Laura said...

I am so in awe of you and those like you who have had experiences like this, Cheri. What a wonderful way to serve God in this temporal home! I love the verse about Abram, obeying God to leave his family, even though he did not know where he was going.

Sometimes I feel that way!

Such faith.

Love you, friend!

Paula V said...

I have never had the privelege to go beyond this country...not even Mexico.

I felt I could feel a tough piece of meat in my mouth as you described it. I think I would've seriously gagged and possible vomitted. Would that have been an insult in that country. I know many countries see certain things as insults...shanking hands is an insult in some country.

I, too, don't long for what we will have or even DO in Heaven. Many people in my small group have talked about have certain food or hot tubs or playing their favorite sport. I don't know. I kind of have issue with that. We can only speculate what will or won't be there. One thing for sure God Almighty and the precious Son. That is the point of Heaven to me and be in His presence. Beyond that and what we will "do"...does it really matter? Naah, it is what it is and will be what it will be...
I miss your visits...come see me.
Luv2u,
Paula