My mother, on the other hand, has always said she just feels homesick for Heaven. 

And now – more than ever – I get it.

We weren’t created for this broken version of the world. We were made for Eden: constant union with God, perfect harmony with one another, and a life naturally brimming with the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Within that kind of life, of course we’d feel secure, fulfilled, and never lacking.

But here, in a world darkened by sin, we constantly feel the tension between the hope of Heaven and the weight of life on Earth. Things we were never meant to behold now flash before our eyes at a disheartening rate: pain, suffering, brokenness, injustice, shame, division, corruption, violence, death. 

It all leaves me feeling like I just want to go home.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all that’s wrong in the world, but we have to fight to remember that we are on mission. We can’t afford to be distracted by the enemy; we have a race to run, and our eyes need to remain fixed on the prize: going “home,” and bringing as many people with us as possible.

Paul was well-acquainted with feeling homesick for Heaven, but he also showed us what it looks like to stay rooted in our purpose here on Earth. In Philippians, he wrote: “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith” (v. 21-25).

That ache in your soul? It’s the Holy Spirit stirring your heart, reminding you that this world is not your home. But don’t let that longing lead you into despair. Let it drive you deeper into God’s presence and propel you into His mission as an ambassador for Christ. Let it move you to bring more of Heaven down to Earth.

Because the truth is the world is full of people who are just as homesick as you, aching for what’s been lost, longing for what they were created for, and not even knowing why. What they’re searching for is Jesus.

So don’t waste the ache. Let it lead you. Let it lift your eyes. And let God use your homesick heart to help others find their way home, too.