Father, we are a people in transition, living in one world and longing for the next. Peter was right, the Spirit speaking through him, when he said we were strangers and aliens here. Help us to better feel this tension, to live aware of where we are and where we belong, so that our hands may be at work here for you, while our hearts remain where we are yet to go with You. Amen.

John 16: 16-33
“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”
Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

And so we walk today, our hearts in two places. We live and move and breathe where we are present now, physically. Our hearts now also belong to heaven, and desire to be in the presence of God. It feels sometimes like a long-distance relationship, and we’re not quite sure if we’re going to be able to actually ever see the other person again. We linger here and long for there, and sometimes it’s just easier to exist within what we can see. And so our heart-in-two-places begins to settle for what is easiest. We compromise.

But we should be so thankful to God, who did not leave us alone in. This time of transition. He has given us His Holy Spirit to live not just near us, around us, but within us. This gift of His indwelling helps to complete the link between the here-and-now and the there-and-later! He has closed the gap, covered the distance. All that remains is that we would draw near to Him, and shut out the noise and influence of the world we are leaving. 

When Jesus spoke clearly to them, it was easier for the disciples to believe. WHen we find these moments of clarity with God, we come to the same conclusion. But faith comes from what we hope for and is evidenced by what we do not see, and so living in that constant state would deprive of us the joy of faith and seeing God’s handiwork come in His mysterious, loving ways. And so, hearts-in-two-places, but really in one, we seek Him daily. We listen to Him daily. We meet with Him in prayer daily, so that our heart can feel our true home, so we can draw near to the one who loves us so deeply.

Take heart, He says, He has overcome the world. These light and momentary struggles are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us when we reach that day where the separation is no more, and all things have been made new. We will stand before the throne of the Ever-Living-One in the presence of the Spirit and the Lamb-who-was-slain-yet-lives. On that day, there will be no more displacement. We will be all in one place, longing fulfilled, and eternity at our feet to enjoy it. Until that day comes, rest assured. He is with us wherever we may go. May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us in the storms. May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us until we enter through His door. May we walk in the rhythms of grace. 

Father, we are a people in transition, living in one world and longing for the next. Peter was right, the Spirit speaking through him, when he said we were strangers and aliens here. Help us to better feel this tension, to live aware of where we are and where we belong, so that our hands may be at work here for you, while our hearts remain where we are yet to go with You. Amen.