In the world, not of the world

I wouldn’t consider myself a big fan of American country music, but there’s a song I stumbled on recently that I’ve been listening to on repeat. It’s called “This world is not my home” by Jim Reeves. Reeves popularised it in the 1960’s but it was written by an American gospel composer Albert Brumley earlier that century. 

This world is not my home
I'm just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue.

I enjoy the simplicity of it and the way the singer proclaims his faith and hope so matter of factly. The chorus addresses the Lord directly and makes the whole song feel as if we’re listening to a conversation between this man and his Saviour. 

I have a loving mother
Just up in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop
Until I shake her hand.

He contemplates the reunions we will all one day experience and the perseverance we need to stay the course in the meantime. There’s one particular refrain that stands out to me: 

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

I expect that’s a common sentiment for most people from time to time, regardless of their beliefs. Perhaps for others it’s not at all a relatable feeling; they find themselves quite content in their day to day (please do stop me Sunday morning to share your top tips if this is you).
 
Nevertheless the value of the song’s message holds true in its patient, hopeful and steadfast focus on the promises of God and treasures, while cautioning against the distractions of this life. When I dug around a little further I found a note of the verses that inspired Albert in his writing, one of which was Matthew 6:19 concerning treasures: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
 
That is not, of course, to say our current possessions are wrong to want or keep, but it is a good reminder that we should be mindful of our love for these things and their potential to dominate or weigh us down. There are constant opportunities for reflection in our walk with Christ, to pack and repack or lay aside burdens - leaving them on the road behind us.
 
Regardless of how easy or difficult we are finding the path God has put before us, we are all a people of spiritual nomads walking the path of the Cross together. We follow the path laid by those before us as we encourage those picking up their crosses to walk behind, all the while renewing our strength in the promise of the renewed world to come.
 
I also learnt the original lyrics were a tad different to the version I heard. As opposed to Jim Reeves’ reference to his departed mother Brumley writes: 

I have a loving Saviour up in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop until I with Him stand
He’s waiting for me now in heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

And as much as we look forward to that day, I expect He is just as excited as we are.

Image by Peter H from Pixabay