When I was a child, I used to listen to this song called, “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline.
I would jump around and imagine living in a big house with God, eating at a big table with Jesus, and playing in a big backyard. I longed for that big place. I wanted God to make that place a reality for us here and now.
But as I got older, I started to think less about God’s big house and I began craving to live in a big, big house right now. This is not an entirely bad thing, but it does reveal a deeper longing: a desire to be with God and others in a beautiful and safe place.
Many of us desire this too. To be together, to be safe, and to be in awe of the beauty that surrounds us. God put that desire in us! Unfortunately, that desire cannot be fully met here and now, no matter how big and beautiful a house we get.
This statement reflects God’s gracious expectation that His home is going to be filled with many of His children. There is no lack. There is no rationing. There is so much space. The invitation is for all that are willing to surrender and come! It will be a time of celebration, relationship, comfort, and safety.
This statement creates great anticipation to know that preparations are being made. Since God knows us so well, we know that these plans are being made with us in mind. Imagine a space that is custom made, tailored, and designed to exceed our expectations and imagination! It will be a place that we will need to flourish.
There is no anxiety on how to get there. We don’t need to worry about being lost. We don’t have to chart the course. Jesus is coming to take us. Much like having a personal chauffeur, we simply relax in the capable hands of our gracious Father as He has arranged all the travel plans. His Son is the way!
When I see our church and our houses damaged by the floods and cold weather, I see that even our best efforts of making a house here on Earth are lacking. Our efforts, our designs, our buildings all pale in comparison to what God is planning and doing.
It will never get old, need repair, require upgrading, or be destroyed. It will last forever and be beautiful constantly in our eyes. It will be a place for us to worship, explore, create, reflect, discuss, rest, and usher in His all-encompassing, flourishing shalom to the entire cosmos. We will see everything renewed.
From the Father’s house, Christ, our elder brother, will stand and renew all things. Poverty, racism, suffering, corruption, violence, destruction, and death will all be redeemed and replaced with the Father’s plans of resurrection and renewal.
Do you see? It is not just a house, per se, but it is a new reality for humanity and creation.
Therefore, I must acknowledge that when I see that our homes, our church, and our world is broken and in need repair, I will not be prone to despair because I know God has more in store. However, that does not give me permission to give up and do nothing as I wait for God’s house, but instead it gives me a hope to share with others. It gives me perspective to prepare myself and others for His big renewal.
I encourage us all to declare to a broken world in need of deep repair and renovation, the words of that old Audio Adrenaline song, “come and go with me, to my Father’s house... it’s a big, big house with lots and lots of room...”
Yes, what a day of rejoicing it will be when the Father’s house becomes our final state of being.
