I grew up in Southern Baptist churches. Because of this, I was a part of Royal Ambassadors (RAs), a program for boys that taught us about missions. The levels you went through were called Lads, Pages, Squires and Knights. When we lived in Fayetteville, NC our church sent us to RA camp at Camp Caraway. This was a week-long camp, where boys from across the state came together for fun, crafts, swimming, archery, hiking, and of course to learn more about Jesus.  I have fond memories and not so fond memories of camp. I was told that I fell off the top bunk in the middle of the night and did not wake up. But I guess the not so fond memory was getting homesick. Most of the time, I was so busy that I did not have time to be homesick, but when things got quiet, I would think of home.

As a Christian, I still get homesick. This world is not my home. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:1, For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Paul calls our bodies a tent. You live in a tent when you are not home. We have a home in heaven. There are times when my longing to be home is so great, that I cannot think of anything else. Yet, as long as I am here, I have work to do. God has called me to be His witness so that others can know Him.

As a youth, we sang a song in youth choir called, Home, Where I Belong, by B.J. Thomas. The words says:

And when I’m feeling lonely,

and when I’m feeling blue.

It’s such a joy to know that I am only passing through.

I’m headed home,

going home,

where I belong.

But the words also say, While I am here I will serve him gladly. So even though, I get homesick, I have a job to do and so do you.