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.