How many of you are preparing for guests or family coming into town during this time of year? It is a phenomenon that is quite common. You know you have family coming. You begin prepping months, weeks, days, hours and minutes before their arrival. There are seemingly soo many details to think about, if you are a female. Guys tend to be a little less focused on the details of the preparation. No matter your perspective, all would agree that something must be done to prepare for the arrival of guests.
Here is what Jesus said about preparations. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). What a concept to consider, but it gets even better. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matt. 25:34). So, these preparations have been made since the time that the world was formed. This is what Paul wrote concerning the preparations, “But just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him’” (1 Cor. 2:9).
Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” John records the events of the revelation given to him on the island of Patmos. Among those things he sees is the new city. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’ And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true’” (Rev. 21:2-5).
As you prepare for your family to arrive, know this— God has prepared something in anticipation of your arrival. Something better than you could imagine. We need to make sure we are prepared to “enter that rest” (Heb. 4:11). That will be a family event that you will not want to miss.