A Home Is for Now (Not Forever)

I confess I have tried to fill the void with beautiful things. I’ve relentlessly pursued aesthetic perfection, striving for a home that looks as though it leaped from glossy pages. And I can tell you that even amid a backdrop of flawless décor, our souls can whisper of discontent, of desires and depths unmet by mere objects, no matter how exquisite.

This isn’t to dismiss the value that beauty and order bring to our homes; those are worthy pursuits. Beauty and order bring us joy, tranquility, and resting places for our eyes and feet after a long day. They are expressions of our tastes, our families, and our lives. But they are not, and cannot be, the entirety of our fulfillment.

Our homes are backdrops to our human experiences—not the solutions to our innermost needs. A roof over our heads enables the personal growth that moves us toward understanding what we truly need to fill our lives with meaning.

The question then is: What truly satisfies the soul? If the polished perfection of our surroundings can’t quench those deep-seated yearnings, what can? C.S. Lewis believed such desires hint at a reality beyond our own—a place we are meant to inhabit more fully. If this is so, then the aesthetic endeavors, though enriching, serve more as signposts, guiding us toward something greater, something eternal.

Jesus told us ahead of time: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2). While we may derive satisfaction and delight from pouring our creativity and care into our earthly homes, they will never compare to the home we can expect to inhabit.

The dissatisfaction felt in a perfectly curated room is not a personal grievance; it’s a soulful reminder that we are in transit, that our true home lies elsewhere.

Reflect

How often do you ponder the only thing that satisfies? What does it feel like to dwell on the heavenly home you can expect to inherit?

Pray

God, remind me that this world is not my forever home. Though I may seek to live my days with a welcoming and generous heart, keep my thoughts on the eternal. Amen.

Was this plan helpful? We adapted this plan from Organize First, Decorate Second: How to Go from Clutter to Creativity by Whitney English. Check it out for more .