When I was a kid my dad would take the family to Logan airport.  We’d park on the upper open-air parking area and just watch the jets fly in and fly out.  He also took us to the railroads depots there, too, to watch the trains rumble in and out.  As a nine or ten-year-old, those trips had the allure of excitement and adventure.  Later on in life, I was impressed with the cultural experiences that were available in Boston.  But I also became aware of the crime, the poverty, and the impersonality of city life.

In this life, there are so many things that make living here wonderful.  But just like in the city (and towns for that matter), there is an opposite side of life that isn’t so pleasant.  What God intended to bless man with, man has, in some way, perverted His work.  Think of just some of these things:

God gave us life.     Man gives us euthanasia and abortions.

God gave us perfect food.     Man has added chemicals, additives, growth hormones.

God gave us enough food.     Man suffers from obesity, bulimia, anorexia, binge eating.

God gave us marriage.     Man has created no-fault divorce.

God gave us the joys of sex.     Man has used it for rape, homosexuality, and pedophilia.

God made us in His own image.     Man has developed plastic surgery, Botox, and breast implants.

God gave us pure water to drink.     Man has added fluoride, chlorine, and spilled sewerage and oil into it.

God gave us flowers.     Man has added  pesticides.

God created the universe.     Man keeps trying to shrink it.

God gave us love.     Man gave Him the crucifixion.

God gave us salvation.   Man ignores it.

God gave us the church.    Man gives Him lip service.

Ho long do you think the list goes on?  For every good and perfect thing God has given us,  Man (under the influence of Satan) has perverted it into a tempting imitation.  And make no mistake about it, these imitations are tempting.  If they weren’t, no one would fall for them.  Remember, Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father…(James 1:17)  And God tells us who our battle is with.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12).  Even Jesus faced this when tempted by the devil, And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:6)

The best thing about this world is that God gave us the ability to help others to overcome these temptations and imitations.  Paul said, But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.…(Philippians 1:22-24)

So, while this world may have its attractions and allure, I’m just here for a visit.  I don’t want to stay here.  I want to go Home…forever.