The house where we currently reside was almost the perfect home for our family of eight for three decades.  Large.  Roomy.  Creative layout.  Neat features.  A spacious living room.  Multiple bedrooms.  Multiple closets.  And perhaps most important: multiple bathrooms and showers! 

The house was probably the closest it could be to ideal for us, which is why we liked it so much when we were looking to purchase a home. And, I’m convinced, also why the Lord secured the house for us even after another offer had already been accepted by the sellers!

But this house is not perfectly ideal.  There are some aspects of the layout that we wish were different.  There have been various issues we’ve had to address in the past.  And there are still issues.  (Some of which we’ll have to resolve before selling it.)

Interestingly, now that we are relocating, we found another house that seems ideal for the next station in our lives.  One level.  Large.  Roomy.  Creative layout.  Neat features.  A spacious game room and large fireplace.  Multiple bedrooms.  Multiple closets.  Several bathrooms.  And perhaps best of all, it’s situated on a lake with a dock and a lovely view across the water!

Most interestingly of all, when we expressed interest, our realtor was astounded that the house was still available after being on the market for several months.  I informed him I believed the Lord had set it aside for us.  I am even more convinced of this after watching the Lord line everything up for the purchase.  Once again, our gracious God intervened and provided us with an ideal dwelling for our future days. 

But that house isn’t perfectly ideal either.  There are some issues we will have to address now that we own it.  (Which is why I’m flying back to Michigan this next week.)  Just as there are issues in our current home.  And in your home.  And in every home. 

Of course, we are fully aware that more situations demanding attention will appear in the future!  They always do.

Finally, there is no perfect home here on earth … no matter how thoughtfully designed, or carefully constructed, or meticulously cared for, or ideally situated it may be.  There are always some issues in every house, and there will inevitably be more.  

But a perfect home does exist!  A place with no issues.  No imperfections.  No faults or flaws.  Nothing lacking.  No deterioration (ever!), and no repairs ever needed.  The perfect layout with perfect dimensions with the perfect color scheme!

It’s a place with the ultimate location and constructed of the finest materials.  Residents arrive escorted by angels on streets of gold through gates of pearl set in walls of gemstones.   The entire city is pure and transparent gold.  (At least that’s the visual the Apostle John gives us in Revelation 21.) 

The glory of God illuminates everything – shining brilliantly through the transparent gold!  There is no darkness or shadow anywhere to be seen. 

The panoramas from the place are stunning; the views exquisite.  The company is divine.  (Literally!) 

The purchase price of this perfect home happens to be exorbitant, but is covered completely by the holy, precious blood of the Savior. 

It’s the place where our God lives, and the place he prepares for us to live as well.  All who rejoice in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice are brought there one day.

Jesus described that perfect home, and the path to arriving there, this way: 

“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? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. … I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:2-4, 6)

God the Father provided even more information on that wonderful home to the Apostle John:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:3-5)

The message of both the Father and the Son are the same; in heaven God’s people will live in the very presence of God.  Which finally is the ultimate reason it will be the perfect home.

Though the perfect home doesn’t exist in this world, thankfully God has prepared one for us in the next world!  All the more reason to not become too attached to our current residences, for the best is yet to come!