Why Earth Isn’t Our Forever Home (Even If the Beach Feels Like Paradise)
Waking Up to Waves and Wondering About Home
As you’re reading this, I’m on vacation at the beach, probably sitting on a balcony with coffee in hand, soaking up the sound of crashing waves. It’s one of those moments when everything feels right, peaceful, and perfect.
Have you ever found yourself saying, “I need a vacation?” I know I have, especially after some of life’s tougher seasons. There’s something about stepping away from the everyday that makes us breathe a little deeper and dream a little bigger.
When Joe and I visit North Myrtle Beach, we love to ride along the oceanfront, pointing out homes for sale and imagining what it would be like to live there. We even pick up those real estate booklets, you know the ones full of beach houses and condos we may never actually buy, but that sure are fun to dream about.
The beach has a way of making you believe you could stay forever. The sunshine, the slower pace, the salty breeze, it all feels like the perfect escape. But as the trip winds down, a familiar feeling sets in. As much as we love it, we start thinking about heading home.
There’s No Place Like Home (And I Don’t Just Mean Earthly Home)
As wonderful as the beach is, it isn’t where I truly feel grounded. Home is where I’m surrounded by love, by family, by memories, by comfort. It’s where I belong.
That same tug I feel after a vacation, the feeling that something’s still missing, is a reflection of something much deeper. Scripture reminds us that our true home isn’t on this Earth at all.
Hebrews 13:14 (TLB)
14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.
Earth, even in its most beautiful moments, is just a temporary stop. It’s like a vacation compared to the eternal home that God is preparing for us. And just like I didn’t always realize I was ready to go home from the beach, many of us don’t realize how deeply our souls long for something more.
We’re Just Passing Through
This life is fleeting. But the good news? It’s not the end of the story.
2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV)
5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Our earthly bodies, our “tents”, will one day fade. But there is something lasting, beautiful, and holy waiting for us on the other side. It’s a home we can’t see yet, but we can trust it’s there because Jesus said so.
But What Will Heaven Be Like?
If you’ve ever wondered about Heaven, you’re not alone. So many of us carry questions:
- Is Heaven even real?
- Will we become angels?
- Will I recognize my loved ones?
- Are there animals in Heaven?
John 14:2 (NIV)
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
Heaven Will Be More Beautiful Than We Can Imagine
It’s hard to picture a world better than sunsets on the beach or time spent laughing with loved ones. But Heaven won’t just be better, it will be beyond anything we can fathom.
Revelation 21:19-21 (NIV)
19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
Pure gold streets. Gates made of pearls. Foundations adorned with every kind of gem. And even more glorious than the beauty will be the presence of God, the absence of pain, and the abundance of peace.
Our Hope and Our Future
Jesus made a way for every one of us to enter that eternal home. Through His death and resurrection, we have the gift of forgiveness, redemption, and everlasting life.
No matter what your earthly home looks like, whether you’re in a beach condo or a modest apartment, your eternal address is already being prepared by the One who loves you most.
All you need to do is believe, receive His grace, and trust in His promise.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s End with a Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the glimpses of beauty we get to experience on this Earth, moments that lift our hearts and remind us that You are good. But Lord, help us to remember that no matter how wonderful this life may seem, it is not our true home. Give us hearts that long for Heaven, not out of fear of this world, but out of a deep desire to be with You. Help us to trust in Your promise and to walk each day with the peace of knowing where our forever home truly is.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Tania, I also just returned today from a few days at the beach, on Pawley’s Island, SC. The weather was wonderful & my husband and I enjoyed the trip. I also sat on the balcony & drank my coffee by the beach! As bad as I hate leaving the beach, it’s always great to get back home. Thank you for the analogy you made regarding our heavenly home and it’s beauty.
The older I get the more I long for that Heavenly Home. I can’t even remember how long I’ve followed you but thankful for a Godly influencer.
Amen My Friend.
Beautiful – thank you for sharing. And thank you for the gift card. I can’t believe I won! 💕
So true! Lovely reminder.
Tania, Thank you for your Sunday posts and the accompanying song today–it brought tears to my eyes. I appreciate all of the fashion and lifestyle posts that you present, and look forward to them each day. Your Sunday messages especially are always very timely for me. You are a blessing to your readers! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this message.
Beautiful. Thank you for posting. I look forward to seeing more.
Beautiful message and prayer.
I’m so excited knowing that my home is in heaven.. I can’t wait till that day I get to see my mom and my other family and friends… What a celebration that will be.
Thank You Tania for sharing your faith with all of us. May God Continue To Bless You and Your Family.
Thank you. This was wonderful.
What a beautiful message. ❤️
Love your fashion sense and your faith. I will serve the Lord!
Beautiful and comforting message ❤️.
Thank you for the lovely message. I don’t always leave you a message, but I always read and appreciate especially your Sunday words of hope and the prayers!
Thanks, Leah! I’m glad you enjoy my Sunday posts!
As my husband and I search for a lakefront home we get so wrapped up in the process that we sometimes forget our earthly home is so temporary. Life goes by so fast, thank you for reminding me to focus on my eternal home, that is far more precious than the earthly one!
Linda, living on the lake would be wonderful! We can still enjoy our “temporary” home while we await our eternal one.
What a beautiful message you wrote today! Tears are in my eyes! My oh my! Thank you.
Robbie
Love this post, Tania! Yes, we are only passing through until we meet Jesus!! What an amazing day that will be, we can only imagine!! (love that song!;-) My husband and I get those same real estate books when we travel and look and dream, too! LOL
Blessings for a wonderful week,
Lol! I think we all do that.
🙂 As the song says, “I’m kind of homesick for a country that I have never seen before”. Amen.
Hello Tania, I have never been to the beach, but in September my two daughters are taking me to Panama, I am 77 years old, God gave me an handsome son, and two beautiful daughters, I lost my son, and 11 months later I lost my husband. I know one day I will see them again.
We always went to Pigeon Forge on vacation because that was my son, and my husband’s favorite place, so now it’s my to go on vacation. I will always cherish the time’s I spent with my husband and son, when my died I felt like my heart broke to much for me to live, God picked me up and showed me my two daughters and they were hurting, they were so close to each other. I give God praise every day for carrying me, and my daughter’s through all the pain and giving us reasons to go on. I am sorry loading this on you, I guess I just needed to give God praise.
Your faith just touched me so complete, I enjoy your text, even though I’m 77 years old I still look for styles and what’s in, and what’s gone, I love clothes, shoes, and gotta have the right bag for my outfit, and don’t forget the jewelry lol. love you’re styles.
Please forgive me for such a long text.
Ruby
Ruby, this was such a sad story, but also beautiful. Losing two members of your family so close together would be heartbreaking on everyone involved. It is wonderful that your daughters could be with you, Leaning into the Lord, praising Him for the time you had with your loved ones, is an attitude that will carry you through the toughest times of your life. Have a wonderful time at the beach this September!
Thank you for your post today. We have so much to look forward to.
Nothing like the smell of a beautiful beach somewhere. 🙂
I long for that heavenly home. I can’t even imagine what it will be like to see Jesus who I’ve loved my whole life. Even so come Lord Jesus
AMEN, SISTER!!!
Beautiful message today – and I really enjoyed the Chris Tomlin song! Hope you’ve had a relaxing beach trip!
Amen Sister! Have a great vacation.
Beautiful message! You got to love Chris Tomlin as well as Matthew West! So many great songs and messages! Enjoy your vacation and feel rested and renewed when you get back home!
Thank you for the reminder and for not being afraid to share your faith!
Wonderful post … and a gentle reminder that this world is temporary and God’s plan for us is eternal.
I hope that today will be another beautiful day at the beach for y’all. I like the comparisons you used in this message. It is hard to imagine how beautiful Heaven is. I will continue to live the best I can as a child of God during my time on this earth, so that I will be welcomed in the arms of Jesus.
I’m loving knowing I’ve got a home prepared for me in heaven! Thanks for this reminder, and I love the beautiful song by Chris Tomlin.
Amen – thank you for your caring prayer
Thank you for all you do but especially for Sundays.
Amen! Today we celebrate the Ascension, where Jesus taught us not to be afraid of the unknown of Heaven by going there ahead of us and preparing a place for us! Alleluia!
Thank you
Amen!
Amen! Beautiful word!
Your ending prayer always leaves me full of hope. I have had some health issues over the previous 10 months that have challenged me. I do put my faith in our Lord, I just need reminders occasionally. Thank you 😊
A good reminder. I can easily get distracted. Thank you, Cindy
Message went with today’s Sunday school lesson
That is beautiful and encouraging…
Thanks again for your Sunday Post…I may not always leave a comment but I really appreciate them. I always read them.
Thank you for this beautiful reading this morning.
Beautiful message today…Happy Sunday🙏❤🙏
Thank you Tania! Your scripture message is always my favorite part of your posts! God bless you!❤️🙏
I love your analogy of a lovely vacation but still home is where you feel grounded and our longing for our heavenly home. Your wisdom shine through. ❤️
Beautiful
Amen and amen.
I have listened to the video on repeat and loved the song.
My hubby and I like to take a 2-4 day mini vacation every few months. Just enough time to recharge.
Beautiful and uplifting message. Thank you, Tania.
What a beautiful post this morning.
Thank you for taking the time to do that while you’re on your beach vacation.
It really made my day!
“But Heaven won’t just be better, it will be beyond anything we can fathom.” Truth! And amen!
Great post!
Thank You for this beautiful message.
Wow! This message is beautiful and such a great reminder—we’re just here on earth for a while, our heavenly home is waiting for us!
Wonderful post Tania!! It’s a comfort knowing there is a place for us after we leave this earth.
❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful message, Tania! Thank you 🙏
Thank you so much for the wonderful devotional to start my Sunday. I hope y’all have a wonderful vacation!
Beautiful post this morning
So thankful for the promise of heaven for those who place their trust in him! Your words, scripture, and analogy explained it beautifully.
Amen!
What a beautiful reminder of where our true home is, Tania. We travel a lot in retirement, but I get restless after a while. And I think it’s true spiritually as well. We are restless until we rest in Jesus, our true home. How I am looking forward to being in His presence! The verses you shared were great!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
We’re just passing through.
😀 home is where the heart is.
So beautifully written! Thankful for this today as a dear friend’s husband is soon to see heaven!
I live an hour and a half from Myrtle Beach at Carolina Beach and have sold real estate here since 1995. We walk each day to see the ocean except Sunday when we ride bikes to church. Will be nothing like our heavenly home. Enjoy
Amen! Wonderful uplifting message Tania, thank you!