I was watching an episode of, In Plain Sight. It is a tv show about U.S. Marshals who work in Albuquerque, New Mexico placing people into the witness protection program. In this particular episode the main character, Mary, U.S. Marshal, is in a heap of rubble with one of her witnesses who is trapped. When his vital signs begin to fall, in an effort to keep him talking and alert, she talks to him about people he has killed in his past, and how he deals with the memory. During the conversation, she speaks of a recent situation in which she had to kill a man. She said that what haunted her the most about the shooting was the look on the man’s face as he was dying. She said that in that moment it was like she was looking at a little boy about 6 or 7.

“And this little kid was looking back at me..sad, scared, like ‘why did you do this to me?’ That’s the face I can’t get out of my head. That’s the person I killed.”

The statement reminded me of a conversation I had with my daughter while trying to explain “grown ups” to her. I was telling her that adults are no different than kids on the inside except for the fact that we have been here longer. We are more knowledgeable or wise only because we have been here longer. However, on the inside, we are like little kids. We still become afraid. We still want the same things we wanted when we were 6 or 7. We still want to be accepted and loved and protected.

The only thing that seems to age is our bodies. It wears out. It gets tired and then eventually it dies. On the inside, though we are still the same young, vibrant, youthful persons we were as kids.

Our spirits will live on after the body dies. This is why Jesus says,

“In my Father’s house are many places; otherwise, I would have told you; I go there to prepare a place for you.”(John 14:6)

For years this verse has been interpreted to mean that Jesus is up in heaven building luxurious mansions, Hollywood style, for us to live in. I personally believe the place he is preparing is our new, indestructible bodies to replace these old broken down vessels we now occupy. It will be something that is appropriately matched to our spirits which will live in Him for as long as He lives.

As I said, I don’t believe that our spirits grow old. Not in the sense that our bodies grow old. The only way to determine whether a spirit is old or young is the amount of wisdom and experience one possesses.

Paul says the new body will be incorruptible, immortal. The bodies will be resurrection bodies. When we are raised from the dead these will be the bodies we are given.

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (1Cor 15: 50-53)

Our destination is not Hollywood-style mansions in heaven. There is more than enough evidence in scripture that the earth also is to be resurrected. The earth was made for man and I believe it will be remade for man after the resurrection. It will be a new start right here on the earth. New bodies. New earth. A new world where love and righteousness reigns and God will live with us.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Rev 21:1-30)

I have an overwhelming desire to be home. Yes, I would like to be near my mom and dad and brother and sisters, cousins and aunts in Texas and California. However, I don’t think a geographical change will satisfy. I believe this urge and desire for home will only find rest in the Lord. His Spirit is the only one who can settle the almost constant uneasiness I feel. It is only when I rest in His presence that I can feel relief, feel at home, feel safe. I can’t find that relief in anyone here on the earth; not even in my family.

I strive to be at home in the Lord. And what can I say? I look forward to leaving this present dwelling to be in the full presence of the Lord.