Do you feel it? Do you notice the disordering of life? In things both big and small, I see the unraveling of life. Leaves stripped from the branch by a brisk wind, exposing the barren tree beneath. Cars go “klunk” and dryers squeak and shutter to a halt. Nearly constant news stories about cruelty and violence around the world. The painful remembrance of loved ones who have died and the realization that I will face that grief again.

Everywhere I look the decay of this broken world is staring me in the face.I feel forlorn; forgotten and forsaken. My whole body sinks beneath the weight of it all. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes as my heart cries, “This is not supposed to be this way!”

It is not supposed to be this way. My heart is hardwired for home. Home, the place where I am secure, loved and accepted by my family. I long for a place where rest and peace, work and play are not mingled with the touch of sin. Do you feel it too? Is not your heart’s groaning the mere tip of the iceberg of your deep longing for home?

Can you then imagine the impact of these words on the apostle John as he heard them from God?

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” Revelation 21:3-5a (ESV).

Friend, God sees your pain. Jesus knows your longing. The Holy Spirit himself prays for us weary sojourners. You are not alone in the sorrows of this life and even when your earthly life is over, you will be carried to a place prepared for you by Jesus.

Today it’s okay to not be okay, It’s alright to be broken and to mourn. You have permission to bemoan the fact that we’re not yet home. There is space for your tears, friend. Jesus understands the weeping of the here and now, and he’s also secured our forever home with him.

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Here’s a very relevant Signpost Inn Podcast episode with Rose Marie Jackson: Universal Betrayal: Grief, Anxiety, Depression and the love of God

You also may find C.S. Lewis’ book, “A Grief Observed” to be helpful.