Reflect today on this image of heaven: the house of our Father

“In my father's house there are many places of residence. If it wasn't there, would I have told you that I would have prepared a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that even where you are. "John 14: 2–3

From time to time it is important that we focus on the glorious reality of Heaven! Heaven is real and, God willing, one day we will all be united there with our triune God. If we understood Heaven correctly, we would desire it with a deep and ardent love and we would be looking forward to it being a powerful desire, full of peace and joy every time we think of it.

Unfortunately, however, the thought of leaving this Earth and meeting our Creator is a frightening thought for some. Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown, the awareness that we will leave our loved ones behind, or perhaps even the fear that Paradise will not be our last resting place.

As Christians, it is essential that we work to promote a great love for Paradise by acquiring a correct understanding not only of Heaven itself, but also of the purpose of our lives on Earth. Heaven helps order our lives and helps us stay on the path that leads to this eternal bliss.

In the passage above we are given a very consoling image of Heaven. It is the image of the "father's house". This image is good to reflect on because it reveals that Paradise is our home. The house is a safe place. It is a place where we can be ourselves, relax, be with our loved ones and feel as if we belonged. We are sons and daughters of God and decided to belong to him with him.

Reflecting on this image of Heaven should also console those who have lost a loved one. The experience of saying goodbye, for now, is very difficult. And it should be difficult. The difficulty of losing a loved one reveals that there is true love in that relationship. And that's fine. But God wants feelings of loss to mix with joy as we meditate on the reality of our being loved with the Father in his home for eternity. There they are happier than we can ever imagine, and one day we will be called to share that joy.

Reflect today on this image of heaven: the house of our Father. Sit down with that image and let God talk to you. As you do so, let your heart be drawn to Heaven so that this desire will help you direct your actions here and now.

Lord, I ardently desire to be with you eternally in Paradise. I wish to be comforted, consoled and full of joy in your home. Help me to always keep this as a goal in life and to grow, every day in the desire for this final resting place. Jesus I believe in you.