Ten months ago I found myself in a new home. Life drastically changed for me with this transition. Ten months ago I was still dealing with a harassment situation that had left me in continuous fear and paranoia for a full year. Though this situation didn't disappear overnight, God did begin to work in my physical circumstances. On October 29, 2017 I was married to a wonderful man. I was given a new home and a new name. I even had a new phone number and new work. I still had things that I loved: family, yoga, coffee, books, etc. but for the first time in a long time the fear, anxiety, and physical sickness that I had been living with were slowly vanishing. During this season I began to laugh with my husband instead of simply crying. I enjoyed walking my dogs without fear of every person I passed on the street. I amazed at the slow healing that I have witnessed happening in myself and in my family.

On Sunday, Justin continued our Revelation series and said that our new home (Heaven) will be a remodel. He explained that the newness of our home will be reflected in what is absent. This world is full of good things and one day we will see the beauty of His creation in full as we live in it without pain, crying, and death. 

Looking around at our world and trying to picture it without brokenness and death can feel almost impossible. On Sunday we were asked "How can this world be healed?" This question resonated with me because for a long time I asked God how the situation my family and I were in could possibly result in healing and life. The answer? "By His Wounds (Isaiah 53:5)." We were reminded that Jesus bears the wounds from the cross so that we will never have to bear them again. 

The hope presented in Revelation is that the battle has already been won. We look forward to the return of Christ when not only will suffering and death be absent, but in our new home we will dwell with the Father: the giver of life and the one who wipes every tear from our eyes.

~ Taeler Larsen