THE WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME.
A fleeting residency.
Chapter One: A Fleeting Residency
From the moment we draw our first breath, we are told to make ourselves comfortable, to build, to settle, to put down roots. The narrative of permanence is woven into the very fabric of our societies. We acquire land, construct dwellings meant to outlast us, and amass possessions as if they are anchors tethering us to this earthly plane. Yet, beneath this insistent drumbeat of belonging, there lies an unspoken truth: this world is not our ultimate home. Our existence here is a fleeting residency, a temporary assignment in a grander, unfolding story. We are, in essence, travelers passing through, accumulating experiences, knowledge, and relationships that will serve us in a journey beyond this current vista. The insistence on absolute ownership and an unyielding grip on the material often blinds us to the transient nature of our presence, leading to anxieties and attachments that ultimately hinder our true purpose. To truly understand our place, we must first acknowledge our impermanence, recognizing that every sunrise and sunset marks not an end, but another step along a longer, eternal path.
Chapter Two: The Echo of Eternity
If this world were truly our home, why then do we experience such profound longings for something more? Why do our spirits ache for a perfection rarely, if ever, found in the here and now? Every human heart, regardless of culture or creed, carries within it an echo of eternity. We strive for justice that is never fully realized, beauty that fades, and love that, even at its most profound, is touched by the shadow of loss. These innate desires are not simply evolutionary quirks; they are signposts, pointing towards a reality that transcends our current limitations. They whisper of a realm where justice reigns supreme, where beauty is eternal, and where love knows no end. To deny these innate yearnings is to deny a fundamental aspect of our being. Instead, embracing them allows us to see our present circumstances as a training ground, a proving ground, for the world that awaits. It transforms our struggles into lessons, our joys into glimpses of ultimate bliss, and our very lives into a pilgrimage towards our true destination.
Chapter Three: The Weight of Brokenness
The world, for all its undeniable beauty and moments of grace, is also undeniably broken. We witness injustice, suffering, and decay at every turn. Natural disasters ravage landscapes, diseases claim lives indiscriminately, and human cruelty inflicts wounds that fester for generations. If this world were meant to be our perpetual dwelling, this pervasive brokenness would be an unbearable burden, an irrefutable argument against any notion of benevolence or ultimate purpose. However, when we view our time here as a temporary sojourn, the weight of brokenness shifts. It becomes not an indictment of our ultimate home, but a powerful reminder that this is not it. The suffering we experience and witness serves as a catalyst, urging us to seek solutions, to offer compassion, and to yearn for a day when all things will be made new. It compels us to look beyond the immediate pain and recognize that our true inheritance lies in a realm where tears are wiped away and sorrow is no more. This perspective allows us to engage with the pain of the world not with despair, but with a hopeful resolve, knowing that the ultimate victory over brokenness awaits us elsewhere.
Chapter Four: Equipping for the Journey
Considering our temporary status, our focus must shift from simply accumulating and settling to equipping ourselves for the journey ahead. Just as a traveler prepares for a long voyage by gathering essential provisions and shedding unnecessary baggage, so too must we prepare for our transition from this world to the next. This preparation involves cultivating virtues like kindness, patience, and humility, which are not merely good deeds but spiritual provisions that will serve us eternally. It means fostering genuine connections with others, recognizing that relationships, unlike material possessions, are not left behind. It also requires a conscious detachment from the ephemeral allure of worldly achievements and accolades, understanding that their value is limited to this fleeting existence. Our energy should be directed towards investments that yield eternal returns: acts of selfless service, the pursuit of truth, and the nurturing of our inner spirit. Every choice we make, every word we utter, every thought we entertain contributes to the readiness of our soul for the ultimate journey.
Chapter Five: The Promise of True Belonging
The acknowledgment that this world is not our home is not a call to escapism or indifference; rather, it is an invitation to embrace a profound hope. It is the realization that our deep-seated longing for belonging will, in fact, be fully satisfied. There is a promise of true belonging that awaits us, a place where our spirits will finally rest, where every unanswered question will find its resolution, and where every fragmented piece of our being will be made whole. This promise provides meaning to our present struggles and purpose to our existence. It transforms our current experiences into a pilgrimage, a purposeful movement towards a glorious destination. Knowing that our true home awaits us liberates us from the anxieties of this world, allowing us to live with courage, generosity, and an unwavering sense of peace. It reminds us that while we may be strangers and sojourners here, we are destined for a place of eternal comfort and unfathomable joy, a place where we will finally, truly
Ibrahim Atalor Author. Buy me a coffee. coff.ee/ibrahimata1