There's an old gospel song that says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through." Because God has promised us a new earth (2 Pet. 3:13), it's correct for Christians to say that we are passing through this present world on our way to our final home.

In his book When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado writes, "The only ultimate disaster that can befall us . . . is to feel ourselves to be home on earth." He then tells of a fish lying on a beach, its gills gasping. He explains that because the fish is not made for the beach it won't be happy until it is put back into its element—the water. Likewise, because we're not made for this imperfect world we'll never be happy until we're in our true element—heaven. Lucado adds, "This is not heaven, so don't expect it to be."

Although this world is not our final home, we are to do more than just pass through. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2) to work powerfully in and through us as believers to influence our society. Jesus prayed, "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world" (Jn. 17:18). We are to serve others, as He did. Knowing God and serving Him here below is perfect preparation for our true homeland above.  — Joanie Yoder