Because we are tempted to judge others by their possessions, it is easy to jump to a conclusion when we know their address. For example, when we hear the word "penthouse", it is easy to assume that the described location is opulent and better than other locations in the same building.

There are eight floors in the building where I reside. The suites on the eighth floor have the designation "PH", whereas other suites have the exact number of their floor shown on the elevator panel.

We have many laughs when we get on the elevator, speculating what PH stands for. A normal assumption is "penthouse", implying extra elegance. In fact, the suites are the same size and cost, but for some reason, the management chose PH rather than 8 for that floor.

Sometimes, a resident will say that it stands for "Poor House", but yesterday, I was pleased to hear a resident say that it means "Pure Heaven"!

Another strange habit in buildings is the avoidance of certain numbers. In 1997, we purchased a condominium unit on the thirteenth floor but it was designated as 1409.

When we first brought our five-year-old grandson to the building, he was intrigued with all the numbers on the elevator panel. He immediately determined that "P" meant "parking" and that "G" was for "get off", since that was the floor where the main entrance was.

He then started counting from 2, 3, and 4 up to 10, 11, and 12. He suddenly stopped. "Grandpa, they don't know how to count in this building." He knew what the next number should be, but the elevator panel showed 14.

We lived for over twenty years on the thirteenth floor but with a designation of 1409. It didn't really make a big difference in our lives, but we never forgot the lesson that our young grandchild taught us. We were living in a false location!

Does our address here on earth really matter to a Christian?

There is a popular song by Jim Reeves which claims that our address here is not that important.

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh Lord You know I have no friend like You
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

The fact that you are reading this establishes that you are still "passing through"!

Paul gives us excellent advice:

Philippians 1:20-21,23-24 – I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (NIV)

We can continue chasing the penthouse life, or we can elevate our sights to our heavenly home, which is available through belief in Jesus Christ. The choice is ours.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to concentrate on our true address and to serve You through helping others until You take us home. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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