He Lives in a Hole?

He Lives in a Hole?
In 1937 J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit. This book would go on to be only the beginning of Tolkien’s work. He would go on to dedicate much of his life in crafting the history, lore, and the drama of Middle-earth. Though this story is one that many are familiar with (and if you are not then I would commend it to you) it still holds a special place in many people's minds. 
The Hobbit is a story about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. He lives in a cozy, well furnished hole in the ground. He is soon thrown in among a company of dwarves and taken on an adventure that he never intended to take. As Bilbo goes from the Shire (that’s where the Hobbits live) to Mirkwood, and eventually to the Misty Mountains, one thing still remains the same about him; he longs to be home. Being away from home is not where Biblo desires to be. He would prefer to be at home, in his cozy hole with his favorite armchair and the delights that come along with it.
Now, we are not hobbits and we do not live in the Shire among them. Yet, as Christians we do look forward to a better home. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this in 2 Corinthians 5. He speaks of our current position as a tent. While in this tent we long for our heavenly dwelling. There is a sense in which the Christian longs for the home that is to come. Like Paul says, “not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”  
We are not yet as we will be. When we dwell with Christ on the new earth we will then be fully glorified. We will be with God and there will be nothing to hinder us from our enjoyment and praise of Him. Since that day is not here yet, then we can rest assured that there is business for us to do for the Lord. “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). 
Certainly it would be better to depart and be with Christ. Yet, if we remain here then the Lord has business for us to attend to. We are to glorify Him by doing all that He has entrusted to us. One of the primary ways we glorify God is by winning souls and making disciples. As we go about life we can engage those around us for the glory of God. So, as we long to be with the Lord and look forward to the future reality of dwelling with Him forever, let the joy of that certainty be the fuel that motivates you to tell others about Jesus.

Grace be with you,
C. R. Hamilton