The Time of Our Exile

The Bible talks about exile and exiles quite a bit:

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Hebrews 11:13

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia . . .
1 Peter 1:1

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile . . .
1 Peter 1:17

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11

And that's only from Hebrews and 1 Peter. Yet this is something that we have struggled with quite a bit - how do we live as exiles on this earth? How do we keep in mind the fact that this place is not our home? How do we wander on toward heaven?

A friend's post helped me a good bit today. I remembered how I wept in longing for heaven, how I often feel a stranger here, how I feel helpless to get home. These are all good reminders - beautiful signposts God has placed along our journey as husband and wife. They scream out, "Come home," "My home is where your heart is!" and "I am the only who can get you here!"

Our hearts are there, our hope is in the enthroned Christ, and our eyes are fixed on Him. May He encourage us and bring us finally home. Home is where Jesus is.