Housing prices have gone up astronomically in this last year. Where I live, valuations have gone up from 17 percent to upwards of 30 percent in one year. Since we just recently moved across the U.S. to be closer to family, my wife and I went to an open house on the first day it was to be shown for sale. We arrived early and found more than twenty people ahead of us waiting to tour the house. Realtors say the inventory of available homes is sparse because owners fear they will get stuck paying astronomically for their next house. The ones that do get listed for sale are in such a demand that buyers will pay well over the asking price to beat out other competitive buyers. The times are crazy, bordering on ridiculous.

I remember when the real estate market was likewise exploding in the 1980s. People, wanting to get into the skyrocketing housing market, excitedly sold their homes (for a lot of money) and bought newer, bigger ones (for even more money), hoping to ride to lucrative payoffs down the road when they sold and took early retirement. Others took out home equity loans to capitalize on the increased assessed value of their homes or refinanced to take advantage of historically low interest rates and thus lower their mortgage payments.

But the lure involved short-term, variable interest loans, with very favorable interest rates. In time, the rates went up, eventually going well over 10 percent. Of course, mortgage payments increased significantly, and it financially many people were crushed financially. Some could no longer afford the monthly payments and had to either sell their homes at a financial loss, or delay retirement to afford the payments. To be sure, long-term home ownership is generally a wise part of solid financial planning, when accompanied by patience and contentment. The operative terms, though, are patience, contentment, and the phrase “long-term.”

I am so glad that Jesus left us with a “real estate” promise that removes the risk, guarantees a valuation out of this world, and will never depend on economic fluctuations. In a borrowed upper room, on the night before He was crucified, Jesus Christ our Lord left this “marketing” piece:

“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. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:2–6)

Father, I look forward to living in Your “house” forever. Yours is better than anything that anyone on earth could ever afford.